> I have used clomipramine (an anti-depressant) for the anxiety that all
> this fun stuff causes. I also use Clonazepam once in a while when I get
> a surge of anxiety. I've noticed that the Clonazepam helps reduce my
> neurological symptoms as well as reduce my anxiety.
> Has anyone else experienced this?
>
> Peter from Toronto
>
About a week after onset of TM, my neuro prescribed Xanax, an anti-anxiety
drug, which he said he was prescribing because it did help muscle movement as
well. I was only on it for a couple of days because it totally knocked me out,
and later I didn't want to go back on it because I heard that it was one of
the drugs that people are most easily addicted to. But I did want to let you
know that some of those types of drugs do help with TM symptoms.
Also, I know from experience that anxiety tends to make the symptoms worse.
Initially whenever I had any kind of a flare-up or increase in symptoms, I
would get anxious, fearing a relapse, and the symptoms would only increase --
kind of a vicious cycle. Now I've learned somewhat to roll with the punches --
if things flare up, I tell myself things like, "This is probably only
temporary; don't worry about it." It seems to help. I think my mind and body
are still "on alert", but I'm usually not as panicky as I was at first.
Barbara H.