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What Is The Best Medication For Anxiety And Akathisia?

Posted on Fri, 7 Feb 2014

Question: what is the best anxiety medicine for people with anxiety disorders?.... numbness/tingling of body?... and akathisia inner restlessness?... something to keep me calm at all times....

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Clarifications Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. Paroxetine is a good drug for anxiety disorders. However I would require a couple of more details to help you in answering your query in a better justified way. 1. Are you taking any medicines or refreational drugs? 2. Any medical issues? 3. How long are you having these symptoms? 4. Have you tried any treatment before? Hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience. Regards and wish you good health, Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD Neuro-Psychiatrist and Sexologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

yes I take abilify5mg,trihexyphenidyl2mg,and xanax 1mg.... I've been only taking them since the last week of October 2013 and until now and plan on changing ... cause I can not drive far from my house I'm more housebound... I plan on one day getting into the work force and getting out more but my body/mind has became more agoraphobic.... fear of being and going places alone without Anxietty/panic

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Panic disorder has to be treated Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the add on information. Your symptoms seem to be of Panic disorder with agoraphobia and are severe enough to warrant treatment. Abilify, trihexyphenidyl will not relieve anxiety much and xanax (alprazolam) will only be a symptomatic treatment. You will need treatment with proper anti-depressants such as venlafaxine, escitalopram, mirtazapine, paroxetine are good drugs in this series. This is a disorder of anxiety and occurs cause of imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. especially serotonin, nor adrenaline, and dopamine to some extent. Medicines are the best options to take care of these symptoms. Paroxetine is the the most popular medicine and my drug of choice. I generally prescribe my patients 12.5 mg per day at night which takes care of anxiety symptoms. Also certain medicines like propranolol and clonazepam can be give as required when there is a panic episode or expected situation where panic attack can appear. Also there is an option of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

ok great.... ill take zoloft.... so one thing will I be able to drive a car?... and get back into school?... I kind of can't be in classrooms around people this has made me like this.... I first went into the hospital with being paranoia schizophrenia so that's why I'm on the abilify and trihexyphenidyl but then everything else like the anxiety has made me like this.... I was first on risperidal,benztropine,and ativan....

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Zoloft should be good Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the followup question. Yes zoloft should be a good drugs for you. It will take care of your depression/anxiety. You need to continue your abilify, trihexyphenidyl and xanax for the management of schizophrenia. However the anxiety symptoms have to be treated along with the management of schizophrenia. Yes, you should be able to go to the school and start driving with zoloft. Its only with xanax that you have to be careful as the reflexes would be slow. Hope that helps regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (10 minutes later)

I'm sorry I meant paxil not zoloft... I dont want to be addicted to xanax so waving me off of it to take klonopin would be smarter.. so treating my schizophrenia I should still take abilify and trihexyphenidyl?.... but one thing in the summer time I like working out and being in the son so could I change the abilify its doesnt work well with pple in the summer any alternatives?... if u were my doctor what exactly would you treat me with that you know that will work I really need the advice to get my life back and normal again....

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Paxil and zoloft are equally good Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the follow-up. Both paxil and zoloft are equally good. Yes it would be wise to get shifted to klonopin instead of xanax. Abilify if its working well, then it can be continued. If i were your treating Doctor, I would like to put you on Quetiapine - antipsycotic as you have propensity for movement disorder Paxil- for anxiety Clonazepam - for sedation and anxiety. As health care magic is an online forum, legally we are not supposed to prescribe medications without physically examining you. Such regulation are primarily meant for the safety of the patients as well as the Doctor. Further any prescription given in E-mail will not be honored by the pharmacy in your country. You can discuss with your treating physician about these drugs. He/she will know about it. Regards Dr.Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (3 hours later)

yea that's all I was doing.... I was just telling you my situation.... I know u may not of been able to prescribe sorry about saying it that Wat I just wanted to know if to take out xanax and just take klonopin and paxil, and for antisycotic Meds to keep the abilify and trihexyphenidyl....

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Yes you may Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the follow up. Yes xanax can be replaced with klonopin and paxil. Abilify is a good drug which you need to take with trihexyphenidyl. The other option is taking Seroquel. Hope that helps Regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (34 minutes later)

I need something for my anxiety and keep me motivated not cause sedation.... I'm trying to work and hopefully get back into school(college)..... I got this app for great advice from other doctors point of view so my doctor can not just put me on just anything.... I want to feel leveled out so I can feel normal again... I feel abit of muscle weakness in upper body/lower body... so it has been abit hard walking in big stores and keeping balance.... I just recommeded to go to a physical therapist to gain myself all back together but first I need the right chemistry of medications..... I don't feel free like I use to I feel abit stuck and isolated from public....

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You are right in your concerns Detailed Answer: Hello Yes you are right in your concerns. First you should get your chemistry right and then try focusing on physiotherapy. Yes you should be able to get back to school and work with these medicines. Regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

will these Meds cause any dizziness?.... like any side effects to really be aware of?

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: Unlikely Detailed Answer: Hello These medicines may not cause dizziness. However if the sedation is more, you may feel imbalanced. However the same will be clear only after you start taking the medicines. Regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (22 minutes later)

ok ill take your advice I will start my Meds of paxil,klonopin,and Seroquel but I've heard that klonopin can be addictive also paxil... is that a bad thing or can be a good thing?.... I don't want to be addicted to any medications.... or suffer I just want to get back and live a normal life again...

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Its safe if taken under supervision Detailed Answer: Hello These medications are safe if taken under supervision. You won't get addicted to them. You will surely have a better life1 Regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

ok well I just have to breske that fear in me of my mind telling me I can't go out.... then getting anxiety when I'm out driving.... I'm also scared of the dark too Idk why though but I'm just am..... I won't go out if it'd dark outside these Meds made me like that so if I get a new combination I hope I shall be fine....

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (27 hours later)

Brief Answer: Its all a part of anxiety disorder Detailed Answer: Hello Yes, these all symptoms are a part of anxiety disorder and with time these should settle down with the new combination of medicines. Regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (9 hours later)

I've decided to take something called rescue remedy ever here of it?... its a stress anxiety reliever instead of switching Meds I thought it would be safer to work with what I have and see how it goes.... or shall I just change my combination of Meds?... just looking for advice just would like to have my life back to normal where I was more stable and relaxed with a lot of things....

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: You may try herbal preparations Detailed Answer: Hello Herbal medicines may help you but there is no assurity. You may try them but do continue your medicines as well. You may opt to take them before swiitching the medications. Regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (35 minutes later)

ill say that my life only changed like my central nervous system has been altered I'm not the same.. I barely can walk at a steady paste... I get nervous driving in the car alone with my appointments, I get nervous waiting/talking to people, muscle weakness upper and lowerbody .. became more discouraging... I need a change and something fast to get me back on track with feeling normal again.... I need to get myself back into school...

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: You can start some aerobic exercise Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the follow-up query. You have nicely elaborated the way you feel. You will certainly do well with medicines. Meanwhile you can also start some aerobic exercises which will make you feel good. Regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (20 minutes later)

ok sorry my last question to top things off... what would be a better combo... Seroquel,paxil,and klonopin or the combo I'm on now abilify,trihexyphenidyl,and xanax.... and if so why?..... I will look into aerobics I just don't want to pass out its kind of hard getting back into excercising when I've been away from sweaty workouts for about 2-3 years just been really rough dealing with tough trying to learn how to be a stronger person....