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beautifulDisasterxo

Updated 4mo ago

Help! My Anxiety Medication Stopped Working

I know nobody can give medical advice and what not on here. but I've been taking anti anxiety medication for almost 3 years now. for my anxiety/panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder. I been on Klonopin and I know longer think they help like at all .... the past month everytime I felt a episode coming on I would take one and yet I'm still anxious or in full blown panic ... has this happened to anyone else where medication just stops helping ? I'm scared to tell me physcatrist 1. beacuse he doesn't listen for crap ! and 2. I hate trying or even taking anti anxiety medication beacuse I know the risk of addiction and it's one ofy biggest fears. but the anxiety and constant worry ...I can't handle it anymore and idk what to do 😥😥😥😥

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Celisister

1y

Anxiety and high cortisol aren’t good for our brain chemistry either. It’s hard, I know- I have the same concerns about being in alprazolam but if your quality of life is suffering it’s worth talking to a different doctor about. suffering sucks- I battle anxiety each day too.
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

it most definitely is suffering. Bad. Can high cortisol cause medication to not work ? I was just on steroids for a week due to a viral infection and from what I read about the it actually releases cortisol or something. Its called methylprednisolone
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Mazzyllene

1y

Have you ever had your strength increased? If so, how long has it been. I just had to do a raise on one of mine because my body simply got more used to the meds. I take effexor (the one increased), buspar, and minitab in an off shelf use.
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I've been on the same strength since I got put on them and my phycatrist dosent like to listen to me so idk what to do
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KittyKatKuo

1y

Unfortunately sometimes our body just adjusts and diminishes medications at certain doses after awhile (sometimes months other years down the road) but know this is normal. It could be it's just time to adjust it till you hit the magic dose again or try something else (as scary as that is honestly) but we will constantly be adjusting body wise. I would tell them it's no longer working and if they try and gaslight you keep in mind they work for you not the other way around and can be "fired" by you. It may be time to play hard ball and or seek a different doctor. Some steps you can try is: if they refuse to change the dose or medication you say "I want it noted in my medical chart you are refusing treatment/medication for me after I have expressed concerns" if they try and dismiss this you keep insisting they personally write in your chart they are refusing you MEDICAL CARE. Some will change their tunes pretty quick and if not it's time for a new doctor. You hold the power in this scernio. Now I would also recommend if your insurance will cover it and you can get the doctor to do it a special geneic test that they do now that will see what medications will work for you or may work. It can save time in the long run of the constant trial and error of the medication world for you. And it's great actually knowing options your body will respond to. I've found it to be a priceless tool in my medication journey, maybe it can help you too.
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I know it's normal but it sucks beacuse now here I am a wreck with no medication to help if and when I need it ! And I've think I tried pretty much everything at this point as for as anti anxiety medication goes ! And I will definitely be bringing it up on my next appt Monday ! He definitely does gaslight me I'm trying to find another physcatrist. And I will definitely be doing that and make him note it in my chart and what not !!!! And I have had the genetics test done. I was put on a antidepressants that said it worked well for me ( I have yet to start it due to my fear of taking medication) 😥🤦‍♀️ and the test said Klonopin is best for generalized anxiety disorder and that's what I'm on now.
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WhiteFlamingo

1y

I tried four different medications for my Tourette Syndrome. One stopped working after a few years, and the other three stopped working from within a few weeks to a few months. As someone else said, sometimes the body grows immune to medication. I know you don't want to talk to your psychiatrist, but that's unfortunately the only way I know you can change anything. And you've got to change something if you want your anxiety to go down. If it is safe for you to do so, you could talk to your psychiatrist about increasing your dosage. My first medication was increased several times until it wore off again and I couldn't increase the dosage any more. This may help with your anxiety better, but it also has the potential to make any side effects worse. Keep this in mind before increasing. Another thing to consider is if anything is different between the time it hasn't been working and the time it has. Have you experienced a life change? Have you been eating differently? Exercising more or less? Getting more or less fresh air or exercise? Different work load at work or school? These and other things may influence the effectiveness of your medication. Say you have a higher work load. Consciously, you may feel like it's nothing to worry about. But since it's more work, and therefore more strain on your body, your anxiety may be worse and harder to treat with your medication. I find that my anxiety is always worse when I don't go outside enough, even though I take meds for it. So, perhaps it's less to do with your medication and more to do with things in your life. So what can you do about it if it's life circumstances? My advice is to minimize stress where to can. You only have so much energy, and it should only go to your top priorities. Otherwise, find activities that reduce your stress. I like to brain dump in a journal so I can get all my feelings out of my head. Maybe you can go on unplugged walks. I do that as well. Whatever it is, I believe in you to do you what you need to do for your health.
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I have had A LOT of stress going on and I recently was sick and got put on a steroid pack and other medicine for it. But I feel like it hasn't been helping even before then
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doodle0118

1y

This happened to me when I took hydroxyzine. After a few months, it stopped working and my doctor said that it’s not uncommon for anxiety medication to stop working for some people. You should ask your doctor if something else might be better. Sometimes finding the right medication for you is trial and error! I hope you find something that works for you :)
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Kaely

1y

This happened to me with alprazolam (Xanax) and it was actually a living nightmare to adjust back to a semi normal life without panic attacks. I still take about 0.25 mg of it daily that’s how dependent my brain got to it. It’s honestly so discouraging, and I wish doctors warned more about it making your anxiety worse in the future and the dependence your body creates w it, even in the smallest doses if you’re already anxiety prone (ironic huh). And this is the case for all benzo medications too. Anyways tho….what helped me go from around 2.5 mg daily to what I am now and hope to be at 0 soon… 🥹…. Is quitting smoking (I know I know) tapering off the medication week by week down in doses and told my family and friends I’m sorry if I’m not around or irritable….started taking so many supplements which, consult your dr., not every supplement is right for you…but I took, GABA-pharmaceutical grade, ashwaghanda, and l-theanine and just good old time and patience and tears haha. And finally eliminating people in your life that add stress if possible. I know those are all hard and scary but I feel SO much better not relying on that med as much….not being scared that my tolerance was going up and being scared that it was making me worse
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Kaely

1y

Also, I say this because I know klonopin is also in the same medication class, and because it does get better I swear 💖💖 lmk if you have any questions about my experience
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Jgrazia89

1y

the eliminating people who add stress was SO helpful to me. My intake of Xanax has gone way down after I cut certain people out/started setting my own boundaries. With GAD.. we tend to sympathize with people who we shouldn’t (because we’re empathetic) and in turn, we end up only making it harder on ourselves. Can’t get blood from a stone! At the end of the day, you’re all you’ve got 🙌 Blessings!
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Waterlemon

1y

this has happened to me, sometimes it’s just a matter of your body building a tolerance to a medication! maybe you could bring it up to your provider and suggest going up on your dose?
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I've tried before and he refuses to up my dose or do anything but I will be talking to him about it at my next appt.
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Cuz

1y

I know it sucks. I have bad anxiety I have diabetes I’m afraid of diabetes. It sucks.
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Peachykeen64

1y

Deep breathing and exercise
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I definitely need to put my coping skills to use more often 😥 I'm the kind of person that if something doesn't help or it doesn't feel like it's helping I just give up 🤦‍♀️
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Jgrazia89

1y

Just don’t stop taking them. The withdrawal is life-threatening and can cause a seizure. Maybe switch to a new doctor if you feel like you’re not being heard. I know exactly how you feel. Stay strong!!
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

oh I know ! I am terrified to stop taking them as much as I want to stop taking them !!! And Friday I plan on calling my insurance company to get a list of physcatrist that are covered by my insurance!
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bridge51

1y

This happened to me so dr switched to diazapam such a relief to have no more panic
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

what is diazepam If you don't mind me asking ? And I'm so glad your feeling better that's awesome !
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Jewelicorn

1y

I ditched my anxiety mess my senior year of high school when I discovered and did my senior project on dance therapy and other art therapies. It has helped me so much. I don't dance in front of others, I just go into the woods behind my house with my phone and dance for just myself. Idk if alternative therapies is something you would be interested in. But I'm always here if you want to talk about it.
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bridge51

1y

Diazapam is similar to clonezapam
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Placebo1228

1y

Medication isnt going to fully stop the panic and anxiety. You have to combine it with coping skills and whatever else your Dr recommends. SECONDLY, and this is the most important. YES. Propel with anxiety disorders and PTSD type disorders OFTEN have a change on medication. Even after being on them for YEARS, they can stop working and you may need to change up, or even after a few months.
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I know medication isn't going to stop it , it's more less a bandaid... I very much have to combine all the coping skills I have learned but my issue is If something doesn't work for me " fast enough " even tho logically I know it won't happen over night I just give up .... And yeah I think I definitely need my meds changed.
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Rayningtigress

1y

Try cognitive behavioral therapy
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

Im I'm CBT
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Cuz

1y

I always wondered does the marijuana calm down anxiety?
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

for me it does totally not all the way but enough for me to forget about it for alittle bit. I smoke every night only indicas though.
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Triple_C

1y

yes yes it sure does!! I highly recommend it!!! It helps my pain, my anxiety, depression, and my problems with my appetite!! God’s miracle drug!!!! It’s definitely worth a shot!! Because anxiety is absolutely awful and I wouldn’t wish it on ANYONE!!!
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I smoke indica it's the most calming for me but if I smoke TO MUCH at once it causes me anxiety. But most the time it's okay.
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feralsharkdog

1y

I use propranolol for my anxiety and it's amazingly helpful. And occasional cannabis use if anxiety is extra bad.
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EncyclopediaFae

1y

Klonopin is best as a daily medication and not as needed. It should also only be used as a short term solution as long term use has been linked to dementia <—- per my psych who was furious I was prescribed it on an as needed basis by an NP. My panic disorder had flared and as needed use was just aggravating it. After my psychiatrist changed it to daily use I was on it for between a year and a half to two years while we perfected my long term meds (Lexepro, which was wonderful except the discontinuation syndrome was so fast and severe I had to switch for lifestyle reasons) and I did sooooo much better. Was a similar experience when I was on OCD meds
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

well I've been on it for almost 4 years now and it's the only thing that helps me.
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smileandnod100

1y

Have you ever tried lemon balm? I have never tried any medication for the fear of how I would react to them but after finding lemon balm I don't even want to because it works so well. I know everyone is different but if you haven't tried it before it might be worth a shot.
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beautifulDisasterxo

1y

I have not ! What is it exactly? And where could I find it ?
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smileandnod100

1y

It's a herb. The brand I use for a big dose (for when I'm having or planning to have a particularly stressful day) Is Solaray 400mg. Thankfully I'm at the point now where I don't need to use it much so I use olly brand chillax on a more regular basis. It's for kids but I like it better than their stress formula because gaba makes me tired.
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Jgrazia89

1y

I want to try this!
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pinky3

1y

Personally I rather do the holistic method better. I think you should change your psychiatrist if they're not listening. I take supplements like magnesium, ashwagandha, vitamin c, and of course try to eat better.
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Sio

4mo

I couldn't get on with any meds, trialled many over 11 years. Eventually I worked very hard for years to come off of SSRIs and anti depressants. The side effects always outweighed any benefit in my case and I had multiple health issues to battle. In the end, it was a long journey thru CBT and ACT that I finally manage my chronic GAD without meds (tapered sensibly with specialist's help) . I did have prescription cannabis which helped greatly, but I had to stop it during pregnancy. I also did meditation boot camps to help build resilience over long time. I'm not against meds at all, but I do urge people to seek alternatives, esp. talking therepies and herbal remedies.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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