Non prescription?

[sba83]

Since my doctor cut off my xanax I have been forced to try some non prescription stuff.  I purchased this supplement that contains Gaba, niacin and inositol.  At first I tried taking it when I was feeling tense and anxious but it didnt seem to help,  then I tried taking them earlier in the day when I was feeling relaxed and that seemed to do the trick at preventing attacks.  So far so good, im hoping that it doesnt cause rebound anxiety in the long run.  Its better than nothing at the moment.  Ive tried kava and valerian and they didnt seem to do anything.  I was also using kratom for 2 years with no problem to help with my depression.  I'd take it on days when I just could not get out of bed but when I started having panic attacks, kratom made things worse.  Anyone else tried non prescription treatments? 

[insights]

I purchased this supplement that contains Gaba, niacin and inositol.  At first I tried taking it when I was feeling tense and anxious but it didnt seem to help,  then I tried taking them earlier in the day when I was feeling relaxed and that seemed to do the trick at preventing attacks.  So far so good, im hoping that it doesnt cause rebound anxiety in the long run.  Its better than nothing at the moment.

Sorry to burst bubbles, but what you have is precisely nothing, plus some wishful thinking. Even if this supplement was able to deliver the GABA into your brain, and it probably can't, it wouldn't make a scrap of difference. Your brain doesn't lack GABA. As a byproduct of the Krebs cycle (aka citric acid cycle) which converts glucose to Adenosine triphosphate, the main energy source of the brain, this organ is awash with GABA. So much of it in fact that the blood-brain-barrier has billions of tiny pumps to remove the stuff from the extracellular fluid into the bloodstream for elimination (Kakee A, 2001).

What your brain lacks is benzodiazepine binding sites which potentiate GABA receptors and the ones it does have are less sensitive¹. Trying to overcome this by forcing even more GABA into the brain is akin to trying to overcome faulty spark plugs by filling the gas tank to overflowing. In both cases all you do is waste your money.

Unfortunately, nothing else does what the benzodiazepines (BZDs) do, not even the non BZD anti seizure drugs.

Ian


References:

[1]
Bremner JD, Innis RB, Southwick SM, et al. (2000)
"Decreased benzodiazepine receptor binding in prefrontal cortex in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder."
Am J Psychiatry Jul; vol 157(7):1120-6 (Abstract)

Bremner JD, Innis RB, White T, et al (2000)
"SPECT [I-123]iomazenil measurement of the benzodiazepine receptor in panic disorder."
Biol Psychiatry  Jan 15; vol 47(2):96-106 (Abstract)

Malizia AL.  (1999)
"What do brain imaging studies tell us about anxiety disorders? "
J Psychopharmacol Dec; vol 13(4):372-8 (Abstract)

Malizia AL, Cunningham VJ, Bell CJ, et al. (1998)
"Decreased brain GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor binding in panic disorder: preliminary results from a quantitative PET study."
 Arch Gen Psychiatry Aug; vol 55(8):715-20 (Abstract)

Tokunaga M, Ida I, Higuchi T, Mikuni M. (1997)
"Alterations of benzodiazepine receptor binding potential in anxiety and somatoform disorders measured by 123I-iomazenil SPECT."
Radiat Med May-Jun; vol 15(3):163-9 (Abstract)

Uchiyama M, Sue H, Fukumitsu N, et al. (1997)
"Assessment of cerebral benzodiazepine receptor distribution in anxiety disorders by 123I-iomazenil-SPECT: comparison to cerebral perfusion scintigraphy by 123I-IMP."
Nippon Igaku Hoshasen Gakkai Zasshi Jan; vol 57(1):41-6 (Abstract)

[kmwondering]

Exercise and meditation.

[stevo1111]

My therapist, not an MD, swears by benedryl for occasional anxious tension. Makes me a bit sleepy.

Also, Valerian root may or may not act similar to a very weak BZD, so it may be worth a shot. I find I fall asleep faster if I eat a few of those.

Why not talk to your Dr. about long term use of an anti-depressant medication? Anxiety disorders are generally chronic, hence we need to learn to manage for the long term by building skills to diffuse negative thoughts and live with the somatic annoyances and getting a bit of long term help (therapy and or meditation/ exercise augmented by an anti-depressant). My Dr. likes to stay away from the BZDs not because they are addictive or any of that but because they are really just poor short term oriented management of a chronic condition.