HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Persistent Anxiety

default
Posted on Sat, 12 Mar 2016
Question: My anxiety is so bad. I have panic attacks out of nowhere. It's hard to breath. I exercise daily. And eat right. I have been prescribed low miligrams of xanax. But have been self medicating with Marijuana. Should I switch back to xanax
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
stop marijuana, clonazepam (klonopin) is better than xanax

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern. You are likely suffering from panic disorder - a type of anxiety disorder.
Marijuana can help to make person relax however as soon as its effect goes away, rebound anxiety is more severe. I strongly recommend stopping self-medicating with Marijuana.

Best treatment of any anxiety disorder includes both medicines and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

In mild cases only CBT is sufficient. In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added. And later on medicines stopped gradually.
If medicines alone are used chances of relapse are more after stopping the medicines.

In medicines SSRI group of drugs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. I prefer paroxetine. Benzodiazepines group of drugs (clonazeapm, lorazepam or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief.

You have tried mirtazapine (remeron), zoloft (sertraline), prozac (fluoxetine). I use mostly paroxetine (depaxil) in panic disorder. In benzodiazepine xanax is potent anti-anxiety drug. However due to shorter half-life it can cause dependence and tolerance so chances of dependence and abuse are high. I recommend clonazepam (klonopin) instead of xanax for immediate relief of anxiety symptoms.

For a while if you have severe anxiety and you have xanax you can use it as per instruction of doctor to get relief.

You can discuss with your treating doctor about my recommendation and change/start treatment.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Anxiety

Brief Answer: stop marijuana, clonazepam (klonopin) is better than xanax Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern. You are likely suffering from panic disorder - a type of anxiety disorder. Marijuana can help to make person relax however as soon as its effect goes away, rebound anxiety is more severe. I strongly recommend stopping self-medicating with Marijuana. Best treatment of any anxiety disorder includes both medicines and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In mild cases only CBT is sufficient. In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added. And later on medicines stopped gradually. If medicines alone are used chances of relapse are more after stopping the medicines. In medicines SSRI group of drugs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. I prefer paroxetine. Benzodiazepines group of drugs (clonazeapm, lorazepam or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief. You have tried mirtazapine (remeron), zoloft (sertraline), prozac (fluoxetine). I use mostly paroxetine (depaxil) in panic disorder. In benzodiazepine xanax is potent anti-anxiety drug. However due to shorter half-life it can cause dependence and tolerance so chances of dependence and abuse are high. I recommend clonazepam (klonopin) instead of xanax for immediate relief of anxiety symptoms. For a while if you have severe anxiety and you have xanax you can use it as per instruction of doctor to get relief. You can discuss with your treating doctor about my recommendation and change/start treatment. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.