Help - Fed Up With Meds

[scoop]

Hi. So I have PTSD and anxiety. We have been working for several years to try to find the best mix of meds, but haven't and now I am really struggling. Here's the run down thus far:

Previously worked, but stopped working: Lexapro

Newly helps, expecially with night terrors: Prazosin

Best help for daytime breakthrough anxiety and good sleep: Benzos (Xanax, klonopin, temazepam)

My issues:
* since transitioning off of Lexapro NOTHING seems to work re: anti-depressants for anxiety
* rx provider does not support use of benzos and has decided I should try different insomnia meds. None of these meds have worked with desired results
* I am no over tired, over anxious, irritable and miserable and really unhappy that we can't find the right "mix" of meds

What we've tried:
* max dose of Lexapro
* Neurontin (undesired side effects)
* gabapentin (undesired side effects, dry mouth)
* sertraline
* effexer
* Prsitiq (what I am on currently)
* ambian (feel too groggy / hung over in the morning); bellsomra (sleep paralysis); sonata (unable to go to sleep and when did experienced sleep that was too light and had the bonus effect of hallucination-like dream). Have now moved to Lunesta. Am not hopeful. It is pretty clear this class of sleep drugs does not work well for me

Happy to hear some suggestions. I really would like to find relief and be on fewer meds.

Thanks....

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

Hate to tell you this, but sleep meds don't really work for many people. They might help for a night or two, but not much more.

Personally, I stopped all the drugs but one, something to be used PRN. I have an Ativan prescription I rarely use; in fact, this bottle was prescribed a full two years ago, and yet I have almost a full bottle still.

The anti-histamine Benadryl is very safe, if your MD doesn't like Benzos. It will relax you and, if you take it at bedtime, put you to sleep. It is not habit forming.

Most of the time, I focus on grounding techniques when the anxiety becomes overpowering.

Ben

 

[nlittle1011]

Hi. So I have PTSD and anxiety. We have been working for several years to try to find the best mix of med...

I currently take lexapro, wellbutrin xl, seroquel xr and klonopin. This combo seems to be working well for me

 

[EveHarrington]

Is there a reason why your doc hasn't suggested any antipsychotics? They can be quite helpful for some.

Are you seeing a psychiatrist?

 

[scoop]

Is there a reason why your doc hasn't suggested any antipsychotics? They can be quite helpful for...

Seeing an ANP prescriber at the same office as my therapist. Had one observed sleep study done and that Dr. found that my baseline anxiety at night is much higher than normal. So his recommendation was to deal with the anxiety as a primary issue, with meds at night to assist with sleep. His Rx protocol was very different with ANP's. Let ANP know about the results and stuck with her recommendations since I had a history with her already established.

 

[EveHarrington]

Sorry I'm confused! What's ANP?

Antipsychotics can help with sleep and anxiety but I see them more as a later resort kind of thing after other methods have been tried.