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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is An Alternative To Alprazolam For Depression?

I have PTSD, Depression and Anxiety with Insomnia as a result of a 30 year marriage with various levels of domestic violence(from felony assaults to emotional abuse). My two sons have been greatly impacted; however I can only hope they are resilient as we all go forward since I instigated the divorce last year. I am trying to get off the benzodiazapines(clonazepam and aplrazolam and infrequent nightly zolpidem). I also take mirtazapine at night and 2 low doses of buproprion during the day(it can be too agitating some times). My new provider has added gabapentine to help me discontinue the alprazolam first and hopefully the clonazapam next. After 4 weeks on this gabapentine low dose I have been able to really be OK with the minimal alprazolam. I feel very hopefull about this process. Are there any suggestions I can give my psychiatric nurse to do any other prescription changes for these drugs I ve taken since 1999. Are there newer calming antidepressants or any other calming drugs that I can add to the regime I m on and help with the discontinuation of the addictive drugs. I still have panic attacks and will be very careful of the tapering process ... the anxiety and depression are also still issues that don t magically disappear just because I m out of the toxic marriage. Thank you for any advice on medicines such as gabapentin, etc.....(a nurse who I met in ER recently suggested that inderol works for her along with the gabapentin)...... Again, thanks for any information I can pass on to my health care provider !
Mon, 24 Feb 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hi
thanks for using healthcare magic

There are few antidepressants which have good sedative effect like agomelatin, trazodone etc. That would help to reduce the dose of sleeping pills, but for good effects i would suggest you paroxetine. You can also take melatonin, remalteon for sleep. It would give you sleep on basis of normal circadian rhythm. Rest you can consult with your psychaitrist
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What Is An Alternative To Alprazolam For Depression?

Hi thanks for using healthcare magic There are few antidepressants which have good sedative effect like agomelatin, trazodone etc. That would help to reduce the dose of sleeping pills, but for good effects i would suggest you paroxetine. You can also take melatonin, remalteon for sleep. It would give you sleep on basis of normal circadian rhythm. Rest you can consult with your psychaitrist