Community

Psychotherapy and monitor your doses while you slowly dwindle down the mg. If you quit cold turkey you're going to feel like a turkey. I have severe anxiety but I use inositol and choline combined and that helps. Another good supplement is Magnesium. Seek a holistic doctor too if you can find one that is reputable. Also, get exercise whether it's walking a mile or two around your house or going to the gym. Exercise is a natural remedy for anxiety.

I took Klonopin (clonazepam) 3 times a day for 20 years. I no longer take it, nor do I have anxiety. The two things that I attribute my success to are daily CBD oil and P.A.C.E. every morning (YouTube to view a demonstration of this to retrain your brain). I take 15mg of
Plus +CBD oil every night. You can find a wealth of information on CBD oil at
Thehempoilbenefits.com ; this is derived from hemp plants and is legal in all states should you have concerns in that area. Hope this helps you. Please play it forward as well.

I like the Adaptogen such as ashwaganda and rhodiola rosea.

Thank each of you for your support and help. Every bit of info is needed and appreciated.

My best friend had to take anti anxiety drugs. She cut out wheat and other gluten grains and ate clean (shop at EarthFare as they have eliminated all the bad stuff for you) all her panic/anxiety attacks ceased within a few weeks. You judge when you can get off them entirely, but eating healthy is a big start. If you want to exercise/get massages, etc. that would all help.

I agree with everything posted so far. I took Clonazapam (benzodiazepines) for four years when my parents were sick. I didn't know I was addicted until the first day I stopped taking them Titrating slowly while under a doctors care is essential when trying to stop taking your meds. I did that and still lost 20 pounds and suffered severe withdrawal symptoms over a two-month period. I use GABA during the day when I deal with anxiety and 5-htp, 200 mg at night for sleep. I would recommend using pharmaceutical grade supplements. Be careful when you buy GABA. One I bought had vitamin B6 added to it. (Pyridoxine HCI)
That particular form of B6 causes more anxiety and insomnia for me. I believe it has something to do with my methylation issues.
A new treatment for anxiety is TMS, trans-cranial magnetic stimulation. An MRI machine is used to send magnetic waves to your forehead. It's supposedly a permanent fix. I begin treatment at Vanderbilt next week. Research is very promising and my doctor told me all insurance companies will cover most costs. Treatment consists of six weeks of daily treatments (M-F) that take about an hour each. Off ... More

I agree with everything posted so far. I took Clonazapam (benzodiazepines) for four years when my parents were sick. I didn't know I was addicted until the first day I stopped taking them Titrating slowly while under a doctors care is essential when trying to stop taking your meds. I did that and still lost 20 pounds and suffered severe withdrawal symptoms over a two-month period. I use GABA during the day when I deal with anxiety and 5-htp, 200 mg at night for sleep. I would recommend using pharmaceutical grade supplements. Be careful when you buy GABA. One I bought had vitamin B6 added to it. (Pyridoxine HCI)
That particular form of B6 causes more anxiety and insomnia for me. I believe it has something to do with my methylation issues.
A new treatment for anxiety is TMS, trans-cranial magnetic stimulation. An MRI machine is used to send magnetic waves to your forehead. It's supposedly a permanent fix. I begin treatment at Vanderbilt next week. Research is very promising and my doctor told me all insurance companies will cover most costs. Treatment consists of six weeks of daily treatments (M-F) that take about an hour each. Off label uses include: PTSD, insomnia, chronic pain and others. I have fibromyalgia so I am excited about the potential for feeling better. For insurance to cover TMS, you will need to have a long-term depression/anxiety diagnosis and to have tried several antidepressants which did not work or caused side effects....and which ones don't....
There's a website, theroadback.org, that has a ton of information about titrating slowly and weaning yourself off meds. They promote products containing the above-mentioned supplements and some others. I didn't buy any of their products but there's a information to keep you comfortable during the weaning process. I also took long walks ever day, did yoga and listened to music designed to calm your brain (binaural beats- YouTube) using earbuds. It's a process and difficult but you'll feel a million times better on the other side. Good luck, Susan

 Less

Remove all food additives from your diet. many are excitatory neurotoxins. Remove all toxins, and synthetic fragrances from your environment. All fragrance contains pesticide, or you'd be swarmed by insects (bees, wasps, etc). Take GABA.

I've dealt with panic attacks, anxiety. While I was trying to figure out what was causing them I took hydoxizine and used essential oils for anxiety. I did 23&me but not sure yet what it all means, going to have a knowledgeable NP help me with that. But I will say my doctor put me on an elimination diet, no caffeine, sugar, gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, corn, pork, shellfish or red meat. I have not had a panic attack or much anxiety since. It's been 1.5 years. When I slip and eat something bad, I feel it. My insides are shaky, I feel out of breath etc. So I've learned what triggers me and try at all costs to avoid them.

I responded earlier as the person with Panic Disorder that titrated off anxiety meds. I want to second the opinions about DNA testing. I did it thru 23andme, ran the info through the Genetic Genie methylation profile. There are many things that can be exacerbating the anxiety. For me, it's the COMT gene SNPS as well as GAD and MAO SNPs. I was taking several supplements that really exacerbated my anxiety and irritability. Another responder was correct about knowing your methylation issues. It is quite a learning curve but will be worth it as it looks as though your kids have similar issues. I have had to educate doctors, not the other way around. You must take control of your healthcare. There are a lot of resources out there but you have to research. The only prescription meds I take now are bioidentical HRT, and NatureThroid thyroid. I take supplements that take into account my genetic snps and work with what I can tolerate. I take a microlingual 5HTP at night to help with sleep.

Some researchers believe POTS may be an autoimmune condition. If I were you, I would try and find an naturapathic MD, like the one I recommended, who specializes in autoimmune and methylation and is fluent in latest genetics. Regular MD's, who are not on the cutting edge of autoimmune and genetics, will generally make your sicker, in my humble opinion.

Anxiety is awful--I'm experiencing a nasty bout after falling in love with the wrong person. Even the best genetics and supplements don't protect one in all situations.

My heart goes out to you.

Martin

Thank you so much X05761. I never took anything prior because I understand you can either be under or take the wrong thing and over do the balance. I have only taken the B complex 3 time so I guess I will wait until I can find out more info. It seems like there should also be a lab test that shows which of the chemicals are off balance yet every Dr I have asked just plays pin the tail on the donkey type of game. I need to see a hematologist here in the medical center in Houston. My data is too old for use with the online groups to look at and its not just me that has incurred the high cost of medical this year. Our monthly insurance policy is private and costly and our 22 year have been so sick with Dysautonomia related health issues it has been a nightmare to pay these cost but worst seeing him suffer. There is no cure for Dysautonomia just treatment and every organ of his body is affected. He told one recent doctor he felt like a Science project! I know the longer I take the anxiety meds the ... More

Thank you so much X05761. I never took anything prior because I understand you can either be under or take the wrong thing and over do the balance. I have only taken the B complex 3 time so I guess I will wait until I can find out more info. It seems like there should also be a lab test that shows which of the chemicals are off balance yet every Dr I have asked just plays pin the tail on the donkey type of game. I need to see a hematologist here in the medical center in Houston. My data is too old for use with the online groups to look at and its not just me that has incurred the high cost of medical this year. Our monthly insurance policy is private and costly and our 22 year have been so sick with Dysautonomia related health issues it has been a nightmare to pay these cost but worst seeing him suffer. There is no cure for Dysautonomia just treatment and every organ of his body is affected. He told one recent doctor he felt like a Science project! I know the longer I take the anxiety meds the harder it will be to get off them but I cant afford the 4 ulcers to flair back up and I have to return to the hospital. Catch 22! I have to stop and read the website info offered above and go from there I just cant afford to start over with anything that is out of network because we will need to put any funds towards 2017 out of pocket max that will need to be met again for the unbelievable amount of time again. I think we have met it at least 4 times in the last 6 years and each year it goes up as well as the cost of the policy itself. Thank each of you once more as well as you X05761 for the cautious advice! Less

@GG360: I personally would never take a B complex without first running my methylation profile as the B's could make anxiety WORSE, as they did mine several decades back when I was coming off of Klonipin/SSRI's.

You can get your raw genetic data file via Ancestry for $69-$72. Then pay $5 or donation for Genetic Genie's Methylation Profile. Then look up your methylation mutations and chose the right kind of B's for your type.

You can do a lot on your own. It sounds like highway robbery what they are charging you. That is a racket if you ask me.

There are some MD's who are up on this stuff. Here is one, who might take your insurance, I don't know. But I do know, from her blog articles, that she's on the cutting edge and is an MD psychiatrist:

www.NancyMullanMD.com

I want to sincerely thank each of you for taking the time to read my SOS and provide helpful advice that is solid and reasonable for me to follow. Please excuse the delay in replying, as I have been beyond busy with current medical problems with our 22 year old and not having any computer time to respond. Hydroxyzine, as suggested is something I have used in the past but it causes me such mouth dryness and worst yet, makes me feel angry and annoyed at everything and everyone. I will look into Dr Kelly Brogan's website as well as Trudy Scotts site. I agree the idea of checking Nutrahacker tests or a 23 and me raw genome file would be a useful. However my funds including the monthly premiums and co pay and such for this year alone has exceeded over $24,000 and I am so insurance poor its not funny. I have had 2 different Dr lab test indicating one copy of C677T gene mutation and my entire family is positive for both A and C with some having both and copies of each one. I did just start a high quality of B Complex and ... More

I want to sincerely thank each of you for taking the time to read my SOS and provide helpful advice that is solid and reasonable for me to follow. Please excuse the delay in replying, as I have been beyond busy with current medical problems with our 22 year old and not having any computer time to respond. Hydroxyzine, as suggested is something I have used in the past but it causes me such mouth dryness and worst yet, makes me feel angry and annoyed at everything and everyone. I will look into Dr Kelly Brogan's website as well as Trudy Scotts site. I agree the idea of checking Nutrahacker tests or a 23 and me raw genome file would be a useful. However my funds including the monthly premiums and co pay and such for this year alone has exceeded over $24,000 and I am so insurance poor its not funny. I have had 2 different Dr lab test indicating one copy of C677T gene mutation and my entire family is positive for both A and C with some having both and copies of each one. I did just start a high quality of B Complex and Vit D 3 this week. We were both at 100% out of pocket with several other serious test already scheduled for Dec with I found out our private policy started over Dec 1 not Jan 1 as I expected. We went from a $3,000 out of pocket to a $6,000 one for this year meaning I have less money now than ever! UGH. Once more I will re read each post carefully again and try to incorporate the suggestions ASAP and as best as possible, thank each of you so very much!
 Less

I am stopping the link to this. I hope that the writer asking the questions bot some useful information. Good luck.

Trudy Scott, CN is a nutritionist who specializes in anxiety. Check her websites http://www.everywomanover29.com/ and http://www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com/ People do get off the drugs, but have to do so carefully and slowly. Wishing you the best!

I had problems with anxiety, read the book called the anti anxiety food solution by Trudy Scott and James Lake, lots of great ideas. I now use L-theanine and Gaba and B6. f

@JY4418 Is parroting what the AMA drums into people to think so they continue to be sheep and do what the almighty DR's tell them.

I used to be on klonipin and Paxil. This shit is poisonous and addictive.

Through trial and error I have found lithium orotate,
l- theanine, GABA and pico liquid mag to be just as effective for anxiety but w/o the side effects. Also, need to check your genetics to see if you need methylation vitamins because that could also be causing your anxiety if you are not assimilating nutrients properly. It was the cause for me

If you're going to stay on pharma meds, I would definitely do the Nutrahacker drug test to find out which of the drugs works best for your genetics. To do Nutrahacker tests you need a 23 and me raw genome file.

I do not work for nutrahacker or 23 and me

Readmartin429@gmail.com

I have panic disorder and took Xanax for years. I read information by Heather Ashton and switched to the longer acting diazepam, using Heather Ashton's equivalency information. I then used a titration method I found on YouTube. I had to buy a few basic items to do it but it was very successful and practically painless. I suffered no ill effects from doing a steady, measured titration. Patience is the key. It is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. You can cause yourself a lot of trouble by trying to rush it. My doctor knew what I was doing and supported me by changing my prescription. He would have had me getting off the meds way too quickly though had I not done it my way. I have found it's best to be your own advocate and listen to your body. It's a lot more work, though, than just doing what you're told by the doctor.

Try smoking pot. Much better results.

Dr. Kelly Brogan 's website and book A Mind of Your Own is worth the read. All antidepressants and anxiolytics are highly addicting and can mess up your life.