Anti-anxiety medications and CPPS

[HuckFinn]

I've noticed that taking low-dose Valium brings considerable relief for about four hours. In addition, it helps me achieve deeper levels of relaxation during my Stanford-protocol relaxation sessions. But of course, I only use Valium occasionally (I typically take it once every three days), or it loses its effectiveness.

My question: Would you know if there are other anti-anxiety medications that work on a more continuous basis, and that I could perhaps take daily? And if so, have other prostatitis patients reported any benefits by taking those medications?

Thanks for any insights you could offer.

[blacklaw]

I've noticed that taking low-dose Valium brings considerable relief for about four hours. In addition, it helps me achieve deeper levels of relaxation during my Stanford-protocol relaxation sessions. But of course, I only use Valium occasionally (I typically take it once every three days), or it loses its effectiveness.

My question: Would you know if there are other anti-anxiety medications that work on a more continuous basis, and that I could perhaps take daily? And if so, have other prostatitis patients reported any benefits by taking those medications?

Thanks for any insights you could offer.

I have found that Ativan (generic: lorazepam) can work, but watch the dose. My doc had me on 1 mg a day...it was actually too much for me (I also take atenolol for my blood pressure (25 mg a day) so I am not sure what caused the side effects (ie, nausea, insomnia). .5 mg a day seems to do the trick and does help greatly.

[MastCells]

Huck,

Hydroxyzine is actually used to treat anxiety, but a lot of people can't tolerate the side effects. Drugs like Effexor and Lexapro would also provide more continuous relief from anxiety than benzos like diazepam and lorazepam that need to be taken sparingly.

[blacklaw]

Huck,

Hydroxyzine is actually used to treat anxiety, but a lot of people can't tolerate the side effects. Drugs like Effexor and Lexapro would also provide more continuous relief from anxiety than benzos like diazepam and lorazepam that need to be taken sparingly.

True.....my doc will only write the script for 15 days.

[CppsDad]

There are some natural relaxation remedies that you can take every day and have less addictive qualities (kava kava and valerium root(sp) come to mind). I don't think they will affect you like valium, but they might be a good place to start.

Michael

[MC]

Valerian root worked for me for a few weeks then it seemed my body got used to it and it stopped working. It has never worked the same since.

The number one best drug for me is Elavil. But it is not an anti anxiety drug. It is supposed to boost your mood and help chronic pain conditions which seems to have an anti anxiety effect. I tapered from 2mg up to 50mg at night (1 dose a day around 6 or 7 pm). It did make me drowsy at first but that went away over time. Now I don't even notice that I'm taking it but I am surely more relaxed overall. My symptons are 50-75 percent better depending on the day, since this problem waxes and wanes. Also, according to my reading, Elavil is not very addictive though you do have to taper off of it if you choose to stop taking it. I have had no side effects other than the drowsy feeling and dry mouth for the first month. But other people can't stand those slight side effects so it obviously varies per person.

The other drug that I take is Valium 10mg at night. I only take it 2-3 times a week and never two days in a row to avoid addiction. It really helps me relax and the relaxing effects often last into the next day when I take it close to bed time. Even at 10mg it isn't all that strong of an effect for me so I also do my stretches and meditate while on it. That really boosts the effect of the drug! Some guys can't take any more than 1mg of Valium or it knocks them out so 10mg is quite the dose.

I have also tried a muscle relaxer called Flexeril. At 10mg it didn't really seem to do much of anything for me. Maybe the dose is too low but that is what the GP prescribed me for. I'll need to look more into the doses on the net and possibly ask for me to truly test it out.

Hope this all helps.

*I'm not a doctor so this isn't medical advice. Thoroughly research each drug and speak to your GP before considering any of these options.

[webslave]

The number one best drug for me is Elavil.

Some say that mirtazapine/Remeron is similar to but better than Elavil.

[MC]

Hmm, never tried it. I'll look into that today.

Thanks

[timberdoodle]

I have been on Elavil for about two months. After the first few weeks of a 25mg dose, my symptoms nearly disappeared altogether. I thought I was in the clear! But as you read about far too often, the symtpoms slowly returned, and I'm about back to where I was before starting Elavil. I tried upping the dosage to 50 mg, but the side effects got worse (mostly heartburn actually), and it didn't seem to help. I think the 25 mg dose helps with relaxation and calmness throughout the day, so I'm still on it.

[timberdoodle]

Some say that mirtazapine/Remeron is similar to but better than Elavil.

Mark, could you comment more on these drugs? Thanks...

[webslave]

http://www.remeron.com/
viewtopic.php?p=2993&highlight=remeron
viewtopic.php?t=2143&highlight=remeron
viewtopic.php?t=2385&highlight=remeron

[treynor33]

I recently tired Remeron. It is a strong drug. I only took it (15mg) two nights. It totally messed me up. Gave me the restless leg syndrome for a few hours each night and instead of making me sleep, as it does most people, it kept me up and made the next day a total disaster. However unlike the other anti-depressants I have tried, it did not affect my sex life. So that is good.

However, I know you need to take it longer than that to get over the side effects and possibly will give it another shot in the near future, but will have to take at least the mornings off from work for a week or so.

Just be prepared for some tough side effects if you venture into this drug.

[Gegatso]

The Baclofen I was prescribed a few weeks back seems to be doing a lot for my tension symptoms. I have Elavil as well, but can't take it with the Cipro.

Not medical advice, just my own experience.

[webslave]

Remeron side effects are mainly sleepiness and weight gain:

Somnolence
In US controlled studies, somnolence was reported in 54% of patients treated with REMERON® (mirtazapine) Tablets, compared to 18% for placebo and 60% for amitriptyline (Elavil). In these studies, somnolence resulted in discontinuation for 10.4% of REMERON®-treated patients, compared to 2.2% for placebo. It is unclear whether or not tolerance develops to the somnolent effects of REMERON®. Because of REMERON®'s potentially significant effects on impairment of performance, patients should be cautioned about engaging in activities requiring alertness until they have been able to assess the drug's effect on their own psychomotor performance

Dizziness
In US controlled studies, dizziness was reported in 7% of patients treated with REMERON®, compared to 3% for placebo and 14% for amitriptyline (Elavil). It is unclear whether or not tolerance develops to the dizziness observed in association with the use of REMERON®.

Increased Appetite/Weight Gain
In US controlled studies, appetite increase was reported in 17% of patients treated with REMERON®, compared to 2% for placebo and 6% for amitriptyline. In these same trials, weight gain of ≥ 7% of body weight was reported in 7.5% of patients treated with mirtazapine, compared to 0% for placebo and 5.9% for amitriptyline (Elavil). In a pool of premarketing US studies, including many patients for long-term, open label treatment, 8% of patients receiving REMERON® discontinued for weight gain.

[treynor33]

The cravings for sugar are incredible....I couldn't stop eating sweet things. You might as well take out stock in Krispy Kreme if you are going to stay on this stuff.

But I do believe it is a good drug for those with anxiety and sleep problems, which I do, from all I have read. There is a website with about 100 different people's experiences. I found it very good to read before I tried it.

You just have to get past the side effects which can be very intense.