Anxiety -what works for you?

[gdmcor]

Hi everyone, :)
As we all know, MS can bring on a lot of anxiety at times.

I was prescribed Klonopin last year during a bad relapse and it helped, but too much makes me a zombie. I only take a small amount now on a regular basis because trying to get off it was impossible! :eek:

I also exercise, which helps somewhat, and see a therapist once a month to "talk it out".

I take Celexa, which I believe helps with depression, but not anxiety, for me anyway.

Staying as active as possible and feeling useful are important for my self esteem, thus lowering anxiety.

What helps you? I'd like to know what others do or take when anxiety becomes chronic or even if it's temporary.
Gretchen

[Annie123]

Cymbalta -- take maximum doseage daily for maintenance (120 mg/day).

Xanax -- take for acute bouts of anxiety, on an "as needed" basis (0.5 - 1.0 mg).

[newlyb12def]

I take zoloft 200mg daily for depression. It helps with the anxiety a little bit, too. I also take 0.5-1mg of xanax as needed. I recently tried smoking MJ again, and found that to be pretty effective.

[Matthew's Mom]

I've been on xanax over 13 years, take .5 three times a day. It has worked well for me, just over the past four months more anxiety when driving. I also see a therapist every two weeks.

[gdmcor]

Wow, Xanax seems to be popular! I know it's in the same class as Klonopin.

I don't like the idea of having to be on an addictive drug for life, but I guess there's no alternative.

As long as it helps, I suppose I shouldn't worry. I think that the mental aspects (depression/anxiety) of MS are sometimes worse than the physical ones.

Anyone NOT have anxiety with their MS? If so, what's your secret???
Gretchen :)

[Ikoiko]

Celexa helps me with anxiety, but not depression.

[ewizabeth]

I take 30mg of Cymbalta in the morning and 50mg of Trazodone at bedtime. I also have two glasses of wine at night after dinner. This all seems to work well for me. I hope you find something that helps.

[Matthew's Mom]

And isn't it something that medicare will not pay for xanax:mad:

Thank goodness the generic is not that expensive.

Pam

[lady_express_44]

Anyone NOT have anxiety with their MS? If so, what's your secret???
Gretchen :)

I don't get anxiety and have had MS going on 18 yrs. I think the closest I've ever come to feeling anxious is when I tried Prozac one time (for PMS), and perhaps occasionally a few days a month due to the PMS. Even then I think it is more like "stress" then anxiety.

My secret...? I don't need antidepressants, and I think they might contribute to anxiety (at least in my limited experience). Also, life was been SO much harder when I was younger, I had to learn to go with the flow and don't sweat the small stuff.

Cherie

[gdmcor]

Just bought a bottle of wine at the store, I've been meaning to for a while now. It does help relax me and it's good for you, in moderate amounts, of course. ;)

Cherie, I agree it would be much better just to not sweat the small stuff, and I try not to anymore. I would also like to NOT have to take medications like Klonopin and Celexa. It's so hard to get off them once you're on them!

Last November, about this time, I went through hell with MS stuff and depression. Anxiety was so bad, Klonopin was a lifesaver. I never want to go there again!

Anyone else have advice on coping with anxiety? I actually do pretty well now with the meds and other things. Thanks!
Gretchen :)

[blossom4th]

Although I'm not diagnosed with MS,I "hang around" because I suspect it.And yes,in the last year I have started experiencing anxiety.Like Cherie,I don't have much faith in anti-depressants and have tried to avoid them.

I do take the smallest dosage of Clonazepam (Klonopin) at bedtime for RLS.A side benefit is that it helps me sleep.A few times due to losing Medicaid,etc. I had to go some time without it.I can tell you...it wasn't good and probably exacerbated the anxiety problem!!!

Now as to how I handle anxiety.....I'm a deeply spiritual person.So I've learned to take one day at a time and try to accept what I can at my pace.I do alot of praying and bible study.Rest,laughter and spending time with friends are also essentials! :)

[gdmcor]

Hi Blossom, Yes, before I even heard of Klonopin, faith and prayer were what got me through hard times initially last year. My dad also died last year and that contributed to some of the depression.

Something else that's important is our attitude living with a chronic disease. My wonderful therapist echoed what you said, and that is, "in acceptance lies peace". I really believe that and try to accept my limitations. It is hard, but fighting it gets me no where!
Gretchen :)

[BBS1951]

There are definiely alternatives to xanax and Klonopin. I take Remeron which is an AD that has great anti anxiety properties. I was an anxiety mess before it. Anxiety is not the same thing as worrying. When I was told that the doctor did not know if I was dying from the avonex lung thing and had trouble breathing, I developed horrible anxiety and panic attacks. I could not sleep and I could not eat. I lost 5 pounds the first week from lack of appetite. The Remeron saved my life as did talking it all out with a psychologist. I was so angry at Biogen that it was creating toxicity in my soul. Talking helped.

I also found a wonderful self help book by David Barlow a famous psychologist called something like Mastering your Anxiety. It's made for patients. It's excellent and I totally recommend it. Get it at amazon.com

BTW, Prozac can help anxiety. And, recently Prozac has been found to reduce the number of new lesions in MS!

[gdmcor]

Hi BBS, I also lost weight last year, about 10 pounds in 3 weeks, and I couldn't sleep either. Anxiety is an awful feeling. You're right, it's different from worry.

Thanks for the book recommendation. I will definately look into it! I also found that deep breathing helps a lot when anxiety hits.

Exercise helps as well. By the way, how's the water? I have been doing the treadmill at the "Y" and using weight machines. It's making me feel somewhat healthy, which is a good thing! I'll be back poolside next summer, so hope your site is still up and running then.
Gretchen :)

[BBS1951]

Hi BBS, I also lost weight last year, about 10 pounds in 3 weeks, and I couldn't sleep either. Anxiety is an awful feeling. You're right, it's different from worry.

Thanks for the book recommendation. I will definately look into it! I also found that deep breathing helps a lot when anxiety hits.

Exercise helps as well. By the way, how's the water? I have been doing the treadmill at the "Y" and using weight machines. It's making me feel somewhat healthy, which is a good thing! I'll be back poolside next summer, so hope your site is still up and running then.
Gretchen :)


I sure plan to keep th Swim Club going year round. The water is okay --80 degrees, air temp is chilly for Florida. Every night I cross my fingers that their workers put the pool covers on so that the temp will stay at 80 and not dip down into the 70s. They close Tgving day and black friday tho.

[Abby2006]

Xanax here for many years and its one of the drugs that can cause this cervical dystonia I have now.

Abby

[lady_express_44]

Hi BBS, I also lost weight last year, about 10 pounds in 3 weeks, and I couldn't sleep either. Anxiety is an awful feeling. You're right, it's different from worry.

Thanks for the book recommendation. I will definately look into it! I also found that deep breathing helps a lot when anxiety hits.

I do worry, sometimes. ;)

I meant to mention deep breathing, and hypnosis. I learned self-hypnosis when I was about 17 yrs old, taught to me by a psychiatrist. Any time I feel stressed or can't sleep, it puts me out almost immediately. There have been times where I've had too much pain though, and it hasn't helped much . . . but a little is better then nothing. :)

What about exercise? I know many of us are very limited in this regard, and that probably contributes too.

I wonder why so many with MS suffer from anxiety? Is it the mind working overtime, all the stresses and challenges, fear . . . or just a chemical reaction? Does anyone know?

Cherie

[shorty]

Hi, there. I'm also hanging out here until I get a firm diagnosis (and then maybe after, depending...).

I've had terrible anxiety all my adult life. What finally worked for me was amino acid therapy. I read a book called The Mood Cure which takes a nutritional approach to anxiety and depression. I take Tyrosine, GABA and 5-HTP ( I also take cod live oil, another recommendation). When I started I took these supplements for about a year and then I felt well enough that I didn't need it, which is the goal. Lately I've been back on it as I'm trying to keep a good attitude in the face of all these physical problems.

I wondered if these supplements could be contributing to my physical problems but found some info online that said it was common that people with MS are low in these amino acids. Really, a lot of people are, given our culture's food habits and the state of our nutrient-depleted farmlands.

Before I tried this approach I was on Paxil for a few weeks. It was a horrible drug--made me sluggish, without affect, and killed my maternal instincts AND made my hair fall out. I'd have to pretty much be psychotic to go on something like that again. The great thing about amino acids is they just make you feel normal. Not drugged, not sluggish, not amped. When I started them I felt like I could actually feel myself instead of my anxiety.

[blossom4th]

I take 5 HTP at bedtime.It helps with sleep but I've also noticed that I feel calmer.

[gdmcor]

Now you all have given me some things to think about!
Hi everyone and thanks for the responses -
Blossom, What is HTP?

Shorty, I've also read that people with MS can be low in amino acids. I'm glad that taking those supplements helped you.
Has anyone else taken this route for MS or their anxiety?

Abby, Sorry about the CD. This is one reason I'd like to be able to get totally off the Klonopin - long term side effects.

Cherie, Exercise has been good for me, but I can't do a lot, only within my limits. I would think that any kind of movement would be good for people with MS.
Personally, if I have nothing to do, it makes me more anxious! I can't stand to sit for too long..

Interestingly, I was always an anxious teenager and this followed me later in life. It began with family stuff, parents always fighting, a father with a quick temper. The usual stuff. :rolleyes:

Do I think anxiety and/or depression cause MS? No, because too many people have these problems and don't have MS.

Gretchen :)

[blossom4th]

I wonder why so many with MS suffer from anxiety? Is it the mind working overtime, all the stresses and challenges, fear . . . or just a chemical reaction? Does anyone know?


One good article : www.lamarfreed.net/anxietyms.html

an interesting study with statistics is posted at:
http://scamparoo.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/ms-and-anxiety-disorders/

[blossom4th]

Gretchen,
5 HTP is 5 Hydroxytryptophan;a form of tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is known to help promote a positive attitude by increasing the body's level of seratonin naturally.

[Aiko]

Hi Gretchen -

I took a class called "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction" a few years ago and it changed my life ... it met once a week for 2 hours on Tuesday evenings for 8 weeks, and it's taught all over the country.

It's offered by our HMO, Kaiser, here in SF, on an on-going basis. My husband has terrible chronic anxiety from lifelong OCD, and he saw how much good the class was doing for me so he signed up, too.

Magnesium citrate supplements can also help with anxiety.

Aiko

[gdmcor]

Gretchen,
5 HTP is 5 Hydroxytryptophan;a form of tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is known to help promote a positive attitude by increasing the body's level of seratonin naturally.

Shorty also mentioned amino acids as being helpful for anxiety. There must be something to it! I'll research it, I like that it's a natural substance.

Aiko - Hi, that program sounds wonderful! I did a quick google on it and read the topics it covers. Thanks for suggesting it and also about the magnesium citrate. I got the mag. oxide and didn't like it. :rolleyes: I wanted it for migraine help also.
Gretchen :)

[shorty]

Again, the book I recommend is The Mood Cure. It's pretty popular and you can get it at Amazons or Powell's online. I've recommended this to so many people going through so many different things. They've all thanked me, even one person I don't know but a friend recommended it to sent me emails of thanks. :)

For anxiety, I recommend Tyrosine the most. That's what I take throughout the day.

For evening, I take GABA. I found when I had little babies that it helped me get deeper sleep in-between nighttime feedings. And Aiko is right about magnesium. My naturopath recommended Cal/Mag/V-D for nighttime and I take that, too.

[Abby2006]

I loved tryptophan(what I used way back when) before they banned it. This 5 HTP (or whatever is not the same)

Abby

[Braindead]

.
.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/jun2006_report_ashwa_01.htm

This ASHWAGANDHA stuff seems to work for me. I take two per day 8 am and 6 pm and find that it greatly improves my sleep, energy and anxiety levels.

I took it for the known NEUROLOGICAL benefit but was quite pleased that it seemed to bring about so many other positive changes.

I do not expect any neuro improvement for some time.

I have only been on it for the last 10 days.

Any one else tried this stuff.

Braindead

[shorty]

Something I want to add: If you're already taking an AD really look into other supplements. The last think you want to do is get too much seratonin going and go manic or burn your brain out.

[newlyb12def]

...but make sure that those supplements do not interact with the medications you take. Ask your doctor or pharmacist first.

[stillstANNding]

Gretchen--

Just wanted to mention to be thee careful mixing alcohol with any of the benzodiazepines.
It has serious consequences (ie, Karen Quinlan's death). Many of the drugs we take become much more potent when mixed w alcohol.

[gdmcor]

Gretchen--

Just wanted to mention to be thee careful mixing alcohol with any of the benzodiazepines.
It has serious consequences (ie, Karen Quigley's death). Many of the drugs we take become much more potent when mixed w alcohol.

What a timely reminder, around the holidays when people tend to drink more. I do not drink anymore because it makes me tired and I just don't feel well.

I did try a little wine, but it just gave me a headache. :(

I would probably have had a drink or two when my brother visits this Christmas, but now I will not!

Thank you for this info, some of us may not have thought of it. :)

Kay - Good reminder about watching what supplements you mix with your medications also.
Gretchen

[shorty]

...but make sure that those supplements do not interact with the medications you take. Ask your doctor or pharmacist first.


Thank you! I did not word that well at all. :o What I meant was look into how the supplements work because you don't want to produce too much seratonin.

[sleepy1]

Anyone NOT have anxiety with their MS? If so, what's your secret???
Gretchen :)

I DO have anxiety as well as panic attacks however, for me this IS NOT MS related. I have a very strong flight or flight response, again, NOT MS related.

I am currently using Buspar and Klonopin. My Dr. is fairly lenient about the dosage of Klonopin which is 1 mg twice a day but if needed I can use more and she will adjust my rx. I have used as much as 1mg 5x a day but, usually it's 1mg 2 or 3x aday.

Since the Buspar kicked in there are some days I don't even use the Klonopin. Buspar is a daily med for anxiety and not an anit-depressant.

BTW - I DO have MS ;)

[dgbranst]

Early on my neurologist referred me for therapy. I am actually seeing a neuropsychologist for therapy, her only therapy client. We have a great relationship and she has really helped me. I see her weekly.
Kathy