I’ve had severe GAD and depression for years. My depression is decently controlled, but my GAD is getting worse and out of control. My heart rate is now staying elevated. I’m super sensitive to meds and their side effects and over the years have tried several. So far the only medicine I have ever been able to tolerate long term is Wellbutrin and Lorazepam. I recently had to stop Buspar due to adverse side effects after being I. It a year. I could never get above 15 mg a day without issues. My psych doctor says I have a nervous heart and recently prescribed propranolol but so far I can’t tell it’s helping. I’m extremely discouraged and not sure what to do. I feel like meds just aren’t an option for me and I’m beginning to feel hopeless. Anyone else deal with this or can offer any advice?
Anyone with severe GAD who can’t tolerate any psych meds?
Question posted by Lizzy36 on 24 Jan 2021
Last updated on 25 January 2021
Answers
Hi, Lizzy!
Just an off the wall thought... are you in therapy? I have a slightly different problem in that I'm Bipolar and am limited as to what medications I can take. Although I've been in therapy for a while now my psychiatrist referred me to a therapist who specializes in treating PTSD. Yup, I was tested and I ranked very high on the diagnostic scale. My depression has also improved but the therapy is working extremely well for my anxiety disorders.
Maybe something to consider if you're not already being treated? Even Cognitive Behavioural Therapy might help you learn effective ways to help control your symptoms.
Best regards and I hope you're feeling better soon.
Hi thank you for responding! I have been in therapy for years, however my current therapist I have only been with for a little less than a year now. I’ve had a lot of trauma in my life, and I’ve never had a therapist who I feel like has helped me. I took the initiative to find a new one. My current therapist is trauma based and so far seems to be very knowledgeable. She says I have chronic severe debilitating anxiety, and explained the seriousness of it, which no one has ever done before. People have always made me feel
Like it’s just anxiety and it shouldn't be as bad as I was struggling. There are so many things that I struggle with that I just didn’t think was anxiety. I’m definitely learning a lot so I’m hopeful she can help. My life is crazy busy and I think part of my problem is finding the down time to do what I need to do in order to live with this disorder.
I too have once been diagnosed w/ GAD. I had to go a new psych Dr. , my old DR. just wasn’t getting it. Comes to find that my vagal nerve was flipping sh*t. I’m now on Klonopin and as strange as it sounds, I’m on a low dose of blood pressure med. Plus my Wellbutrin. * I AM NOT A DR.* it’s only my opinion. The new Dr. diagnosed me with actual Panic Disorder. It’s different from GAD. I personally take Klonopin because it’s an even wave of med. Xanax was a spike, and a drop. Bad idea. IMO. Ya gotta tweak meds every now and then. I can’t take lorazepam, unless you want to me see pink elephants run around my room.
Hi! Thanks for responding. I always assumed panic disorder was based on panic attacks. Not sure if that’s true. I have wondered about Klonopin but no one has ever mentioned it. Currently I take Wellbutrin XL 300, just started the propranolol and she gave me hydroxyzine to take as needed but that stuff is s sedating, way worse than lorazepam I don’t know if I can handle it?
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depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, heart rate
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