Adding something else to fluoxetine for anxiety?

marvin_pa · Mar 15, 2018 at 05:15 PM

I've been taking fluoxetine (initially 20, then 40mg) for depression & dysthymia for some months - I was hoping that it might also do something for anxiety (mostly social, that worsened considerably during the most recent depressive period), but so far, all it's been able to do in that area is to reduce the occurrence of excessive rumination about said anxiety. The fluoxetine has otherwise been reasonably effective, in that I seem to be tolerant of it & it has helped keep me out of the black pits of hopelessness - so, I'm reluctant to mess around too much with that part of the equation, but I'm wondering if there may something else that I can ask my pdoc about next week that may help with the anxiety & not mess with the fluoxetine?

Guiness187055 · Mar 15, 2018 at 05:17 PM

A benzo would help the most if not ask for gabapentin or buspar.

unaluna · Mar 15, 2018 at 05:23 PM

I take topamax as a mood stabilizer and i loooooove it. Ie with fluoxetine.

marvin_pa · Mar 15, 2018 at 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guiness187055

A benzo would help the most if not ask for gabapentin or buspar.

Yeah, that was my thought as well, but I've a feeling that they're reluctant to prescribe benzos now, due to their addictive properties.

I'll look into gabapentin & buspar - thanks.

marvin_pa · Mar 15, 2018 at 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unaluna

I take topamax as a mood stabilizer and i loooooove it. Ie with fluoxetine.

Hadn't thought of that one. I see that some have successfully used it for anxiety, but it's a bit pricier & for once in my life, I probably wouldn't need it's abilities for weight loss, as I've already gotten that from the fluoxetine.

*Laurie* · Mar 16, 2018 at 06:26 PM

My pdoc just prescribed a very low dose of Seroquel in the morning to help with anxiety.

marvin_pa · Mar 16, 2018 at 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

My pdoc just prescribed a very low dose of Seroquel in the morning to help with anxiety.

Given you take it in the morning, do you find it at all sedating during the day?

marvin_pa · Mar 21, 2018 at 08:54 AM

In the end, buspar at a relatively low base dose with some room to adjust as required, was additionally prescribed. Once the script has been filled & I've been able to evaluate the affects, I'll likely add an update.

Thanks for the replies - it's always useful to be able to bring some knowledge/experience with you,when inquiring about such things.

cool09 · Mar 21, 2018 at 09:35 AM

Prozac made me hypomanic. I've never become addicted to benzos in 35 years. They don't completely do the job, either.

marvin_pa · Mar 21, 2018 at 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool09

Prozac made me hypomanic. I've never become addicted to benzos in 35 years. They don't completely do the job, either.

I get the real sense that everyone reacts to these medications in different & frequently unpredictable ways - there was some concern that prozac would do the same for me, but I've never experienced that. I've also previously used benzos (for pain) in the past, without adverse affect.

TicTacGo · Mar 21, 2018 at 05:40 PM

It definitely depends on the type of anxiety as well.

Adding Seroquel 25 mg could help. I am on that for anxiety as well.

Something I am also on is an old-school neuroleptic called Fluanxol. They use 0.5-1 mg for anxiety. Not sure that they prescribe it that often.

Another option would be Buspar or Gabapentin, as mentioned above.

Benzos work for short term, but not exactly long term for all cases of anxiety. For some anxiety disorders, they discourage benzos altogether.

marvin_pa · Mar 21, 2018 at 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TicTacGo

It definitely depends on the type of anxiety as well.

Adding Seroquel 25 mg could help. I am on that for anxiety as well.

Something I am also on is an old-school neuroleptic called Fluanxol. They use 0.5-1 mg for anxiety. Not sure that they prescribe it that often.

Another option would be Buspar or Gabapentin, as mentioned above.

Benzos work for short term, but not exactly long term for all cases of anxiety. For some anxiety disorders, they discourage benzos altogether.

That's likely true & something I found a lot harder to get a handle on, since (to me at least) it seems that the various classifications of anxiety rather overlap into each other.

Guiness187055 · Mar 21, 2018 at 08:22 PM

How is the buspar working for you? I took it and it did nothing but others have had success.

marvin_pa · Mar 21, 2018 at 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guiness187055

How is the buspar working for you? I took it and it did nothing but others have had success.

It might be a little while before I can get the script filled, as I have transportation issues & it was too late in the day to pick it up after my visit to the pdoc.

Guiness187055 · Mar 21, 2018 at 08:43 PM

Hope you can pick it up soon and keep us updated.

marvin_pa · Jun 04, 2018 at 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guiness187055

Hope you can pick it up soon and keep us updated.

Well, it took forever, due to transport/money issues - but I finally got the buspar prescription filled. It's probably too soon to report any affects (plus too much other stuff going on to easily benchmark), but I do have a general question.

When originally discussed with the pdoc, I said I was looking for something to use as needed - and the prescription note does actually say as needed - but it also says take twice a day, which implies take regularly...

From what I've read online, buspar probably does need to be taken regularly, at least for 3-4 weeks until it builds in your system - does that sound right? After then, do you typically carry on a maintenance dose, or take only as required? Or both?

peacelizard · Jun 09, 2018 at 12:48 PM

I have experience with gabapentin and pregabalin. Gabapentin was the only one that felt like it did anything, but the effects were really subtle and then it just seemed to stop. Pregabalin never did anything for me — not even side effects. You could also try propranolol for the physical symptoms of anxiety. And as others said — benzos as well. I'm prescribed 0.5mg clonazepam as needed and it helps, but don't know how you or your prescriber feel about them

marvin_pa · Jun 13, 2018 at 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peacelizard

I have experience with gabapentin and pregabalin. Gabapentin was the only one that felt like it did anything, but the effects were really subtle and then it just seemed to stop. Pregabalin never did anything for me — not even side effects. You could also try propranolol for the physical symptoms of anxiety. And as others said — benzos as well. I'm prescribed 0.5mg clonazepam as needed and it helps, but don't know how you or your prescriber feel about them

So far, I can't really tell if the buspar is having much affect, but it's early days & my stress has gone up recently. I may ask about other options on my next pdoc visit, but my pdoc seems very reluctant to go down the benzo road in the current climate. I am thinking about the gabapentin.

RainyDay107 · Jun 15, 2018 at 07:54 AM

Klonopin works for me on top of Lexapro.

marvin_pa · Jun 18, 2018 at 02:47 PM

Well, it's a couple of weeks in & I am noticing an increase in assertiveness (good). However, this has come with an increase in irritability (bad). Still not sure its making any difference to the anxiety, but I get annoyed a whole lot faster!

Scouting around other forums, I see a few people reporting similar & some of those wrote that the irritability went away after a while. Plus, TBH - I have a fair number of things to be irritated about...

Menu

My Support Forums - Mental Health Support Groups

Get emotional support and friendship from others like you!

Adding something else to fluoxetine for anxiety?

My Support Forums

Guiness187055 Elder Member Since Mar 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 5,057 7 970 hugs given	Mar 15, 2018 at 05:17 PM #2 A benzo would help the most if not ask for gabapentin or buspar. __________________ Guiness187055 Moderator Community support team
	Reply With Quote

unaluna Elder Harridan x-hankster Member Since Jun 2011 Location: Milan/Michigan Posts: 39,868 (SuperPoster!) 12 66.4k hugs given	Mar 15, 2018 at 05:23 PM #3 I take topamax as a mood stabilizer and i loooooove it. Ie with fluoxetine.
	Reply With Quote

Laurie Account Suspended Member Since Jan 2015 Location: California Uber Alles Posts: 9,150 (SuperPoster!) 9 5,382 hugs given	Mar 16, 2018 at 06:26 PM #6 My pdoc just prescribed a very low dose of Seroquel in the morning to help with anxiety.
	Reply With Quote

marvin_pa Veteran Member Member Since Jul 2009 Posts: 685 14 522 hugs given	Mar 21, 2018 at 08:54 AM #8 In the end, buspar at a relatively low base dose with some room to adjust as required, was additionally prescribed. Once the script has been filled & I've been able to evaluate the affects, I'll likely add an update. Thanks for the replies - it's always useful to be able to bring some knowledge/experience with you,when inquiring about such things.
	Reply With Quote

cool09 Poohbah Member Since Feb 2012 Location: Eastern MD Posts: 1,480 12 17 hugs given	Mar 21, 2018 at 09:35 AM #9 Prozac made me hypomanic. I've never become addicted to benzos in 35 years. They don't completely do the job, either. __________________ I know why you wanna hate me! Cause hate is all the world has seen lately! - Limp Bizkit
	Reply With Quote

Guiness187055 Elder Member Since Mar 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 5,057 7 970 hugs given	Mar 21, 2018 at 08:22 PM #13 How is the buspar working for you? I took it and it did nothing but others have had success. __________________ Guiness187055 Moderator Community support team
	Reply With Quote

Guiness187055 Elder Member Since Mar 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 5,057 7 970 hugs given	Mar 21, 2018 at 08:43 PM #15 Hope you can pick it up soon and keep us updated. __________________ Guiness187055 Moderator Community support team
	Reply With Quote

RainyDay107 Grand Member Member Since Feb 2017 Location: M Posts: 989 7 2,452 hugs given	Jun 15, 2018 at 07:54 AM #19 Klonopin works for me on top of Lexapro.
	Reply With Quote