Best antidepressants for anxiety? And about to begin a benzo taper

I have tried a bunch of different anti depressants and other meds over the years, some aimed at anxiety, some not, with varied results. Prozac was good for me to a certain degree, but didn't address the anxiety. Buspar was awesome, but I was dizzy for hours with each dose, so discontinued. Wellbutrin made me hostile (to put it mildly), which is especially bad for me because my anxiety comes out as agitation, irritability, and feeling like I'm possessed by a rage demon. So that was a no go. Lithium did nothing for me at all. Depakote didn't help my mood, and I gained 100 pounds. Tegratol- rash. Lexapro- kind of worked, but not well enough. I'm sure there were more, but that's what I remember off the top of my head. The real game changer for me? Effexor. It is tough to get on or off of (have to ramp up and taper off very planfully), but it isn't an exaggeration that if I'd found it 30 years ago, my life would have taken a very different path in many ways. It pairs well with my adderall as well, and I haven't had any side effects after my body adjusted to it (took a few weeks). Once it did, I swear it was like clouds parted and the choirs sang and I realized what it was like to not feel crazy/on edge/etc and could actually THINK, learn and implement new skills and tools, and move forward in my life and relationships. Everyone is so different that it's hard to tell what direction to go in, but I would strongly encourage you to advocate for yourself in finding the right med/combo of meds. Don't stop searching until you find a med/combo/dosage that is just right for you. "I feel better than I did" is a START, not the finish line. Good luck!

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Im not feeling good. Not sleeping well. Im not sure why, just that for 2 days Ive been physically restless and cant get much relaxation. Even with my atavan. Im exhausted and starting to slip into a depression. Had a lot of stress lately, my cat had emergency then died. It hasnt been real yet, mostly numb. My grandma just passed last year. Family problems. Its just a lot. I am on meds and go to therapy but i deal with health issues that are not worked out yet.
It just seems so hopeless and everyday living is hard.
The loneliness is probably the most difficult, although its the one im most familiar with. Just tired, and dont know what to do when i cant find relief.

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Im not feeling good. Not sleeping well. Im not sure why, just that for 2 days Ive been physically restless and cant get much relaxation. Even with my atavan. Im exhausted and starting to slip into a depression. Had a lot of stress lately, my cat had emergency then died. It hasnt been real yet, mostly numb. My grandma just passed last year. Family problems. Its just a lot. I am on meds and go to therapy but i deal with health issues that are not worked out yet.
It just seems so hopeless and everyday living is hard.
The loneliness is probably the most difficult, although its the one im most familiar with. Just tired, and dont know what to do when i cant find relief.

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Im not feeling good. Not sleeping well. Im not sure why, just that for 2 days Ive been physically restless and cant get much relaxation. Even with my atavan. Im exhausted and starting to slip into a depression. Had a lot of stress lately, my cat had emergency then died. It hasnt been real yet, mostly numb. My grandma just passed last year. Family problems. Its just a lot. I am on meds and go to therapy but i deal with health issues that are not worked out yet.
It just seems so hopeless and everyday living is hard.
The loneliness is probably the most difficult, although its the one im most familiar with. Just tired, and dont know what to do when i cant find relief.

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I am so sorry you aren’t feeling well. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot lately. I have lost some beloved pets. I always have such a connection with my pets, They provide unconditional love and companionship. It is almost like or worse than loosing a family member because they are so dependent on us. Maybe you will consider getting another when you are ready. Grief takes time to heal but I want you to know there is hope just allow yourself some time. Depression can make us feel tired and ill. Just yesterday I said to my husband, I think I need to go to the doctor because I feel so lousy. I went for a walk and came home exhausted. Being winter, does not help. It is hard for me to tell if I have something else wrong or if it’s my depression but depression is an illness so either way I am not in a good place right now. Reaching out for help is hard for me to do also but you are not alone. I personally struggle with depression and anxiety even on meds. But there are always better days for me. Sorry for my rambling, I just want you to know you are not alone and there is hope. Trying to talk to an understanding person can help. Take care and say to yourself, “it Is ok to feel this way because of everything going on in my life, but I am going to be ok”.

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Trying Buspar 2 weeks now... not helping ... side effects .., bloating stomach ache .... I have had the testing .. no SSRI or SNRI but they just keep pushing them ... I told my PSYCHIATRIST was told just keep taking them give them a little longer .. then on to another one ... at my wits end .... Mental healthcare I have is not the best .. rural South Dakota

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I am so sorry you aren’t feeling well. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot lately. I have lost some beloved pets. I always have such a connection with my pets, They provide unconditional love and companionship. It is almost like or worse than loosing a family member because they are so dependent on us. Maybe you will consider getting another when you are ready. Grief takes time to heal but I want you to know there is hope just allow yourself some time. Depression can make us feel tired and ill. Just yesterday I said to my husband, I think I need to go to the doctor because I feel so lousy. I went for a walk and came home exhausted. Being winter, does not help. It is hard for me to tell if I have something else wrong or if it’s my depression but depression is an illness so either way I am not in a good place right now. Reaching out for help is hard for me to do also but you are not alone. I personally struggle with depression and anxiety even on meds. But there are always better days for me. Sorry for my rambling, I just want you to know you are not alone and there is hope. Trying to talk to an understanding person can help. Take care and say to yourself, “it Is ok to feel this way because of everything going on in my life, but I am going to be ok”.

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That is a good question. I went to a Pharmacist and explained my tapering information. I asked him if there was anything over the counter I could take in Between. He was very interested and perplexed. We went to the over-the-counter medications and he said the only thing he could think of was the B-Complex vitamins. I did not ask him about an actual drug for anxiety though. I am wondering what Physicians are going to do with patients with anxiety after they are off benzos. They don't seem to mention that. If you have anxiety, do they think it is just going to end? What is the plan? That is why I know I need Clonazepam and I am willing to cut the dose only. Unless, I am told that there is another non-benzo miracle drug out there. I also wonder, if the drug companies are still making benzos for patients, why do they have to taper off? I know there is a big thing about opioids. I think they get worried sometimes that we are going to sell them on the street! I am also on Adderall (which is considered a controlled substance). One day I went to the office to get my "official paper signed by the Physician" to pick up Adderall. They told me that I first had to do a urine test (out of the blue). I took it and it showed I had the correct amount of Adderall in my body. I told them, did they do this to make sure I was taking it and not selling it?" I believe that was the reason. I read that even if you sold a drug like Adderall, the buyer would have to take quite a few to get high. When I take it, I can't tell. I actually get calmer and of course focus better. My sister asked her Physician if she could try Adderall, because she thought she had the same diagnosis as me (ADHD). She tried it and said she got very hyper and felt like she was climbing the walls. I am actually surprised he gave it to her (Psychiatrist). I was put on it after my Psychiatrist tested me for ADHD. I then realized that I probably have always had this. I had a hard time when I was young following directions and somehow got through school by not reading book assignments. I still have a hard time sitting down to read (unless it is very short or a magazine). If this is the case with Adderall being a controlled substance, why aren't the benzos considered a "controlled substance"?

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