Which comes first - anxiety or paranoia?

[average guy]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm having to go back on meds now for anxiety (I was on anti-depresants a few years ago but have now survived that phase)

 

I have genaral anxiety, OCD and PTSD, but I think mostly what cuases my problems is paranoia. I think the paranoia causes the anxiety.

 

Anyway, I wanted to ask what meds anyone is taking for anxiety (if I may be so bold) and how you feel about them. I'm looking at Xanax, Zoloft, Effexor, or Busprin.

 

Thanks

 

A.G.

[pav186]

You should ask a doctor because since you have a few disorders sometimes there are certain ones which are best for certain groups.

 

But I dont think one triggers the other, someone is paranoid b/c they are anxious and maybe anxious b/c they are paranoid... kinda of a ying yang thing.

[She's Come Undone]

Hello AG!

 

As you know my story, you may know that I too have PTSD, depression/bipolar, and I suffer from social anxiety.

 

In my case none of these are so severe as to be debilitating, however I do suffer needlessly at work, home, social life (zero.)

 

Right now I am on Wellbutrin, however I will be talking to my doctor about adding Effexor or another of the same type. Some meds only help in one area, on one brain chemical, so you add the med that works on the other chemical.

 

I have been on Effexor, and Zoloft without noticing any effects. Frankly I don't feel any different on Wellbutrin either, but it's helped me to quit smoking. I hope that by adding something else I'll see results.

 

I'm also in therapy, which I hope helps most of all!

[Guisi]

Hi Average guy

 

I hope that you are feeling well this evening. I have a question? Have you ever notice the situation you are in when you start experience paranoia and anxiety?

[Merin]

Originally posted by average guy

Hi everyone,

 

I'm having to go back on meds now for anxiety (I was on anti-depresants a few years ago but have now survived that phase)

 

I have genaral anxiety, OCD and PTSD, but I think mostly what cuases my problems is paranoia. I think the paranoia causes the anxiety.

 

Anyway, I wanted to ask what meds anyone is taking for anxiety (if I may be so bold) and how you feel about them. I'm looking at Xanax, Zoloft, Effexor, or Busprin.

 

Thanks

 

A.G.

 

Well I'm a surgical assistant, and we prescribe Xanax for our patients... It is very effective for mild sedation and anxiety.

[average guy]

Hi everyone,

 

Thanks for your replies

 

Merin2 - I'm on 250mcg of Xanax a day now, for the last month. I think it has helped immensely, but am told it should not be used long-term. If it is addictive, I really don't care because I've come to the point in my life where I've accepted I have to be on some kind of medication! However, I've also heard that one develops a tolerance to it and must increase the dosage over time for it to still be effective. I would love to hear your opinion/advice/experience. I personally feel Xanax is best for my situation because it just calms my nerves so I can deal with life.

 

Guisi - It's mostly when I'm driving at the moment because something will happen to inbcrease my anxiety (and adrenaline) like a driver cutting too close in front of me and forcing me to slam on the brakes (which could be a completely inncoent mistake or bad judgement not caused by road rage or anything else, just a normal traffic event), but then I start getting paranoid and thinking that this driver has done this before to me, and they are targetting me, that they will find out where I live and cut me off again tommotorow, etc.. So, to me the paranoia follows the increase panic or anxiety and makes it worse - like pav186 said - kind of a vicious circle.

 

She's Come Undone - I didn't quite understand - have you on Effexor AND Zoloft at the same time? Did either help your anxiety? I found when I was taking Paxil, it just made me not feel any emotion, which is not how I want to live life. Does Welbutrin feel the same as Effexor and Zoloft did, or does it not have any effect on your anxiety? (and congratulations for quiting smoking! and ps. I'm not coming on to you (since I probably live thousands of miles away!) but if that is a picture of you in your avitar I find it hard to beleive you don't have a soical life!!!

 

Cheers

 

A.G.

[Thinkalot]

HI AG. I am taking Luvox (same os movox) for my OCD at the moment.

 

I don't really know the answer to your original question.

 

To be quite frank, as much as the meds have helped me, I wish I did not have to take them, owing to the drastic impact they have had on my sex life. I used to orgasm nearly every time I had sex with my fiance...and now NEVER! Plus, lowered libido.

 

I am currently looking into some alternative therapies to help me out, and am planning to go back to meditation classes again.

 

Good luck to you!

[average guy]

Hi Thinkalot,

 

I don't know if it's different for men and women or not, but Xanax has no effect on my sex life (in fact it may even make it better! but it doesn help with my anxiety. Maybe you could look into it for yourself, as I remember when I was on Paxil for despresion and anxiety, it did decrease my sex drive (which was quite depressing!

 

Cheers,

 

A.G.

[Merin]

"Merin2 - I'm on 250mcg of Xanax a day now, for the last month. I think it has helped immensely, but am told it should not be used long-term. If it is addictive, I really don't care because I've come to the point in my life where I've accepted I have to be on some kind of medication! However, I've also heard that one develops a tolerance to it and must increase the dosage over time for it to still be effective. I would love to hear your opinion/advice/experience. I personally feel Xanax is best for my situation because it just calms my nerves so I can deal with life."

 

Well as the patients I see are not prescribed Xanax for long term use, I can only tell you what I've seen in short term use for this drug.

 

We prescribe Xanax for patients with high anxiety before surgery. It acts as an excellent mild sedative where the patient does not feel "out of it" but they have a sense of well being and become relaxed.

 

As with any medication prescribed, it may become neccessary to increase the dosage to acheive the same effect for long term use. However, Xanax I feel is still an excellent option for people with anxiety. It is safe, when taken as prescribed and it isn't as addictive as Valume.

 

Of course, follow your Doc's instructions and I wish you well with it;)

[supermom]

I have bipolar and anxiety and my doc prescribed me Symbyax, which has an MAOI for my anxiety and prozac for my mood. It has helped me tremendously.

 

I heard it's kinda a new drug, non addictive..

 

maybe worth a shot