OCD, Bipolar, Anxiety and Paranoia
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I do have bipolar and Depakote is great for bipolar, helped me heaps. It is less toxic then lithium and is usually the choice now days over Lithium because of the toxicity issues and it also depends on what type of bipolar you have. I have Bipolar I with rapid cycling, so Depakote is the best drug for my bipolar. My Zyprexa is for my Paranoia which is psychotic. My Zyprexa is also for my Bipolar (Zyprexa is also indicated for Bipolar disorder in manic phases). My doctor is not a benzo-phobe, but I have been addicted to benzo’s before so Im not on them on a regular basis. The benzo im on is the only benzo that seems to touch me for some reason. Valium does NOTHING at all. Xanax makes me look like a junkie without touching the anxiety and every other one that i have tried just puts me to sleep. Now I understand the med cocktail better (except for the betablocker). Of course an antidepressant could help with anxiety but I don’t know if that would cause trouble with the other meds, maybe you could ask your doctor if it would be a good idea to replace the betablocker with an AD? Philip Hey guys. Ive been reading through this group and I thought I might post as I have a question to ask. Sorry if im in the wrong group, I couldnt find another anxiety group as I know this one deals with Panic but im sure there are some people here that can relate to my experience. I guess the subject describes all of my probs. I take a lot of medication but nothing seems to touch my anxiety. Im on 30mgs of Lexapro, 1000mgs of Depakote, 15mgs of Zyprexa, 100mgs of Atenalol(sp?)((Its a beta blocker)) and Lexotan (a benzo), I only take the Lexotan when im really stressed out. I’m only 22 but I feel like im some 90+ year old that is on so many drugs. Anyway, the Atenalol does nothing for my anxiety. Can anyone reccomend a drug that is a non-benzo that I could recommend my psychatrist to perscribe me? Im really running out of options medication wise. Thanks and take care Chris 
This is a difficult question to answer as you have such a multiple diagnosis. FWIW I think your med regimen should be revised. IMO there is no reason to take the atenolol (I happen to take this for high BP, which is really what it’s for, and only half of your dose). It does work foor heart racing, palpitations etc. but it’s not an anxiolytic (although doctors in the UK seem to mistakenly think it is, are you by any chance from the UK?). I imagine that the Depakote is for bipolar disorder? Not a bad idea maybe, but have you tried Lithium, still the first choice drug? And what is the Zyprexa doing in this cocktail, it’s an antipsychotic and if you’re not psychotic there should be very sound reasoning beh9nd such a prescription. Lexotan is a somewhat unusual benzo. But it’s the only med in this cocktail that might do something for your anxiety. Is your doctor a *benzophobe*? Some doctors don’t want to prescribe benzos for fear of *addiction* which is rather weird as you don;t get addicted to benzos but only *dependent* (which just means that if you have been taking a benzo at a regular daily dose for some time your body is *used* to the presence of the med – like a diabetic’s body is used to insulin – and you can’t stop it *cold turkey* but only by way of a slow taper to prevent or minimize *withdrawal symptoms*. A benzo would be very good for you, as far as I can judge it from here, as it really takes care of anxiety/panic. I suggest Xanax XR augmented *when needed* by *regular* Xanax. I would suggest to talk to your doctor, find out exactly why these meds are prescribed to you, one by one and see if you agree. If not (and if your doctor won’t prescribve benzos on a regular basis) it’s time to go doctor shopping. Philip
I probably should note that the other benzo’s you were on that put you to sleep may actually have worked. The sleep part wears off after a while. I am on 3mg clonazepam and it doesn’t do anything for my sleep. When I first started 0.5mg would knock me on my butt…
Response:
I do have bipolar and Depakote is great for bipolar, helped me heaps. It is less toxic then lithium and is usually the choice now days over Lithium because of the toxicity issues and it also depends on what type of bipolar you have. I have Bipolar I with rapid cycling, so Depakote is the best drug for my bipolar. My Zyprexa is for my Paranoia which is psychotic. My Zyprexa is also for my Bipolar (Zyprexa is also indicated for Bipolar disorder in manic phases). My doctor is not a benzo-phobe, but I have been addicted to benzo’s before so Im not on them on a regular basis. The benzo im on is the only benzo that seems to touch me for some reason. Valium does NOTHING at all. Xanax makes me look like a junkie without touching the anxiety and every other one that i have tried just puts me to sleep.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey guys. Ive been reading through this group and I thought I might post as I have a question to ask. Sorry if im in the wrong group, I couldnt find another anxiety group as I know this one deals with Panic but im sure there are some people here that can relate to my experience. I guess the subject describes all of my probs. I take a lot of medication but nothing seems to touch my anxiety. Im on 30mgs of Lexapro, 1000mgs of Depakote, 15mgs of Zyprexa, 100mgs of Atenalol(sp?)((Its a beta blocker)) and Lexotan (a benzo), I only take the Lexotan when im really stressed out. I’m only 22 but I feel like im some 90+ year old that is on so many drugs. Anyway, the Atenalol does nothing for my anxiety. Can anyone reccomend a drug that is a non-benzo that I could recommend my psychatrist to perscribe me? Im really running out of options medication wise. Thanks and take care Chris This is a difficult question to answer as you have such a multiple diagnosis. FWIW I think your med regimen should be revised. IMO there is no reason to take the atenolol (I happen to take this for high BP, which is really what it’s for, and only half of your dose). It does work foor heart racing, palpitations etc. but it’s not an anxiolytic (although doctors in the UK seem to mistakenly think it is, are you by any chance from the UK?). I imagine that the Depakote is for bipolar disorder? Not a bad idea maybe, but have you tried Lithium, still the first choice drug? And what is the Zyprexa doing in this cocktail, it’s an antipsychotic and if you’re not psychotic there should be very sound reasoning beh9nd such a prescription. Lexotan is a somewhat unusual benzo. But it’s the only med in this cocktail that might do something for your anxiety. Is your doctor a *benzophobe*? Some doctors don’t want to prescribe benzos for fear of *addiction* which is rather weird as you don;t get addicted to benzos but only *dependent* (which just means that if you have been taking a benzo at a regular daily dose for some time your body is *used* to the presence of the med – like a diabetic’s body is used to insulin – and you can’t stop it *cold turkey* but only by way of a slow taper to prevent or minimize *withdrawal symptoms*. A benzo would be very good for you, as far as I can judge it from here, as it really takes care of anxiety/panic. I suggest Xanax XR augmented *when needed* by *regular* Xanax. I would suggest to talk to your doctor, find out exactly why these meds are prescribed to you, one by one and see if you agree. If not (and if your doctor won’t prescribve benzos on a regular basis) it’s time to go doctor shopping. Philip
Response:
I do have bipolar and Depakote is great for bipolar, helped me heaps. It is less toxic then lithium and is usually the choice now days over Lithium because of the toxicity issues and it also depends on what type of bipolar you have. I have Bipolar I with rapid cycling, so Depakote is the best drug for my bipolar. My Zyprexa is for my Paranoia which is psychotic. My Zyprexa is also for my Bipolar (Zyprexa is also indicated for Bipolar disorder in manic phases). My doctor is not a benzo-phobe, but I have been addicted to benzo’s before so Im not on them on a regular basis. The benzo im on is the only benzo that seems to touch me for some reason. Valium does NOTHING at all. Xanax makes me look like a junkie without touching the anxiety and every other one that i have tried just puts me to sleep.
Now I understand the med cocktail better (except for the betablocker). Of course an antidepressant could help with anxiety but I don’t know if that would cause trouble with the other meds, maybe you could ask your doctor if it would be a good idea to replace the betablocker with an AD? Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey guys. Ive been reading through this group and I thought I might post as I have a question to ask. Sorry if im in the wrong group, I couldnt find another anxiety group as I know this one deals with Panic but im sure there are some people here that can relate to my experience. I guess the subject describes all of my probs. I take a lot of medication but nothing seems to touch my anxiety. Im on 30mgs of Lexapro, 1000mgs of Depakote, 15mgs of Zyprexa, 100mgs of Atenalol(sp?)((Its a beta blocker)) and Lexotan (a benzo), I only take the Lexotan when im really stressed out. I’m only 22 but I feel like im some 90+ year old that is on so many drugs. Anyway, the Atenalol does nothing for my anxiety. Can anyone reccomend a drug that is a non-benzo that I could recommend my psychatrist to perscribe me? Im really running out of options medication wise. Thanks and take care Chris This is a difficult question to answer as you have such a multiple diagnosis. FWIW I think your med regimen should be revised. IMO there is no reason to take the atenolol (I happen to take this for high BP, which is really what it’s for, and only half of your dose). It does work foor heart racing, palpitations etc. but it’s not an anxiolytic (although doctors in the UK seem to mistakenly think it is, are you by any chance from the UK?). I imagine that the Depakote is for bipolar disorder? Not a bad idea maybe, but have you tried Lithium, still the first choice drug? And what is the Zyprexa doing in this cocktail, it’s an antipsychotic and if you’re not psychotic there should be very sound reasoning beh9nd such a prescription. Lexotan is a somewhat unusual benzo. But it’s the only med in this cocktail that might do something for your anxiety. Is your doctor a *benzophobe*? Some doctors don’t want to prescribe benzos for fear of *addiction* which is rather weird as you don;t get addicted to benzos but only *dependent* (which just means that if you have been taking a benzo at a regular daily dose for some time your body is *used* to the presence of the med – like a diabetic’s body is used to insulin – and you can’t stop it *cold turkey* but only by way of a slow taper to prevent or minimize *withdrawal symptoms*. A benzo would be very good for you, as far as I can judge it from here, as it really takes care of anxiety/panic. I suggest Xanax XR augmented *when needed* by *regular* Xanax. I would suggest to talk to your doctor, find out exactly why these meds are prescribed to you, one by one and see if you agree. If not (and if your doctor won’t prescribve benzos on a regular basis) it’s time to go doctor shopping. Philip
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey guys. Ive been reading through this group and I thought I might post as I have a question to ask. Sorry if im in the wrong group, I couldnt find another anxiety group as I know this one deals with Panic but im sure there are some people here that can relate to my experience. I guess the subject describes all of my probs. I take a lot of medication but nothing seems to touch my anxiety. Im on 30mgs of Lexapro, 1000mgs of Depakote, 15mgs of Zyprexa, 100mgs of Atenalol(sp?)((Its a beta blocker)) and Lexotan (a benzo), I only take the Lexotan when im really stressed out. I’m only 22 but I feel like im some 90+ year old that is on so many drugs. Anyway, the Atenalol does nothing for my anxiety. Can anyone reccomend a drug that is a non-benzo that I could recommend my psychatrist to perscribe me? Im really running out of options medication wise. Thanks and take care Chris
This is a difficult question to answer as you have such a multiple diagnosis. FWIW I think your med regimen should be revised. IMO there is no reason to take the atenolol (I happen to take this for high BP, which is really what it’s for, and only half of your dose). It does work foor heart racing, palpitations etc. but it’s not an anxiolytic (although doctors in the UK seem to mistakenly think it is, are you by any chance from the UK?). I imagine that the Depakote is for bipolar disorder? Not a bad idea maybe, but have you tried Lithium, still the first choice drug? And what is the Zyprexa doing in this cocktail, it’s an antipsychotic and if you’re not psychotic there should be very sound reasoning beh9nd such a prescription. Lexotan is a somewhat unusual benzo. But it’s the only med in this cocktail that might do something for your anxiety. Is your doctor a *benzophobe*? Some doctors don’t want to prescribe benzos for fear of *addiction* which is rather weird as you don;t get addicted to benzos but only *dependent* (which just means that if you have been taking a benzo at a regular daily dose for some time your body is *used* to the presence of the med – like a diabetic’s body is used to insulin – and you can’t stop it *cold turkey* but only by way of a slow taper to prevent or minimize *withdrawal symptoms*. A benzo would be very good for you, as far as I can judge it from here, as it really takes care of anxiety/panic. I suggest Xanax XR augmented *when needed* by *regular* Xanax. I would suggest to talk to your doctor, find out exactly why these meds are prescribed to you, one by one and see if you agree. If not (and if your doctor won’t prescribve benzos on a regular basis) it’s time to go doctor shopping. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
Heyya. Yea im on Zyprexa which is an antipsychotic, on a dose of 15mgs which is semi-high I guess. It has helped my paranoia so much. My paranoia I have been told is psychotic and not related to anxiety. I have been addicted to Benzo’s before hence why im looking for a non benzo. The benzo I take now I only take every now and again when I cant handle the anxiety. Take care Chris
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey guys. Ive been reading through this group and I thought I might post as I have a question to ask. Sorry if im in the wrong group, I couldnt find another anxiety group as I know this one deals with Panic but im sure there are some people here that can relate to my experience. I guess the subject describes all of my probs. I take a lot of medication but nothing seems to touch my anxiety. Im on 30mgs of Lexapro, 1000mgs of Depakote, 15mgs of Zyprexa, 100mgs of Atenalol(sp?)((Its a beta blocker)) and Lexotan (a benzo), I only take the Lexotan when im really stressed out. I’m only 22 but I feel like im some 90+ year old that is on so many drugs. Anyway, the Atenalol does nothing for my anxiety. Can anyone reccomend a drug that is a non-benzo that I could recommend my psychatrist to perscribe me? Im really running out of options medication wise. You mention paranoia, are you sure you know the difference between paranoia and anxiety? Just asking because I know it took me a while. Anyway, I would talk to the Dr. about the paranoia and ask for a med for that. In my experience, no med intended for anxiety touched my paranoia and vise versa. When I went on a low dose of an anti psychotic, that made a world of difference with my paranoia. Unfortunately I still have near constant anxiety. I take 4 mg. of klonopin/day for that but it only takes the edge off… some of the time. Also, the benzo you are prescribed may be the only med you take that helps your anxiety? I’m curious why you are looking for a non benzo med? I also used to take Depakote, that just made me a zombie with anxiety. Tono
Response:
Hey guys. Ive been reading through this group and I thought I might post as I have a question to ask. Sorry if im in the wrong group, I couldnt find another anxiety group as I know this one deals with Panic but im sure there are some people here that can relate to my experience. I guess the subject describes all of my probs. I take a lot of medication but nothing seems to touch my anxiety. Im on 30mgs of Lexapro, 1000mgs of Depakote, 15mgs of Zyprexa, 100mgs of Atenalol(sp?)((Its a beta blocker)) and Lexotan (a benzo), I only take the Lexotan when im really stressed out. I’m only 22 but I feel like im some 90+ year old that is on so many drugs. Anyway, the Atenalol does nothing for my anxiety. Can anyone reccomend a drug that is a non-benzo that I could recommend my psychatrist to perscribe me? Im really running out of options medication wise. Thanks and take care Chris
Response:
Hey guys. Ive been reading through this group and I thought I might post as I have a question to ask. Sorry if im in the wrong group, I couldnt find another anxiety group as I know this one deals with Panic but im sure there are some people here that can relate to my experience. I guess the subject describes all of my probs. I take a lot of medication but nothing seems to touch my anxiety. Im on 30mgs of Lexapro, 1000mgs of Depakote, 15mgs of Zyprexa, 100mgs of Atenalol(sp?)((Its a beta blocker)) and Lexotan (a benzo), I only take the Lexotan when im really stressed out. I’m only 22 but I feel like im some 90+ year old that is on so many drugs. Anyway, the Atenalol does nothing for my anxiety. Can anyone reccomend a drug that is a non-benzo that I could recommend my psychatrist to perscribe me? Im really running out of options medication wise.
You mention paranoia, are you sure you know the difference between paranoia and anxiety? Just asking because I know it took me a while. Anyway, I would talk to the Dr. about the paranoia and ask for a med for that. In my experience, no med intended for anxiety touched my paranoia and vise versa. When I went on a low dose of an anti psychotic, that made a world of difference with my paranoia. Unfortunately I still have near constant anxiety. I take 4 mg. of klonopin/day for that but it only takes the edge off… some of the time. Also, the benzo you are prescribed may be the only med you take that helps your anxiety? I’m curious why you are looking for a non benzo med? I also used to take Depakote, that just made me a zombie with anxiety. Tono
