Also a couple of good sites that kiwi33 posted on another thread recently about relaxation and sleep. It might all sound easier said than done considering all that you're feeling right now, but they can become very useful habits to learn for a lifetime.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/...vercoming/tips
Twelve Simple Tips to Improve Your Sleep

also

Useful Resources & Websites for Anxiety and OCD
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1395.html

I alrady ungergo a CBT, but at the moment I really need the assistance of a med to sleep at least a bit. I have to say that the zyprexa, temesta combo has reduced my anxiety a lot. I don't fear the jerking anynore, I can keep my head on the pillow without correcting the position a hundred times. But I sleep not more than 5 hours each night with waking up many times. These meds gave me a lot of muscle problems as well.

The question I have now is what helpful med challanges an injured brain the least? Are anti psychotics harsher than cymbalta or lyrica? My doctor plans to get off temesta very soon and continue with an anti psychotic(seroquel probably). I would prefer cymbalta or lyrica or something from that group.

what I need is a good sleep, a positive attitude(mood) and a reduction of anxiety.

And what I want to admit is that my doctor(psychiatrist) has no experience with PCS patients..

Chris,

You've been given lots of comments. What choices are you making to improve your situation ?

Benzos are known to be difficult on the brain. The anti-psychotics are still newer and not as well understood long term. Cymbalta has lots of track record and probably is more understood. Lyrica is not like the others. It is similar to gabapentin, a well understood drug. Gabapentin is well tolerated by most. It really helps me with sleep issues.

Have you tried L-Tryptophan an hour before bed ?

No, I did not try l-tryptophan. I tried Gaba and 5-htp. Both were too weak.

The gabapentin seems to be for jerking issues only? Or why does it improve your sleep?

Tge only question I have is wheter I should stay away from anti psychotics(for whatever reason). I mean the reactions in this thread were quite negative. And I've seen that some people have difficult long term reactions with this stuff.

I feel like I am more on the secure site woth cymbalta against anxiety and for a good mood + amitryptiline or melatonin for sleeping

In case someone does not want to read the whole thread, but has a good advice to offer - I am looking for medications against anxiety, sleep problems, and a better mood(attitude) that do not impede the healing.

My comments were just our experience and from the little information you'd posted it concerned and puzzled me that you were being prescribed a medication such as Risperdal for anxiety.

You've mentioned so many different medications recently. It is confusing.

The best person to advise about medications is a knowledgeable and understanding professional. Maybe you need a second opinion. It worries me that perhaps you are grasping for straws. Meaning you seem willing to try almost anything.

CBT is usually done over a period of time. It takes a lot of commitment and involves homework. It's not something that works straight away in one session and of course, like everything, it may not be helpful for everyone. If you have already done a session in CBT in the past, it may be worth revisiting. It can take months but can be a useful adjunct therapy if you are taking a medication at the same time.

Anyway...
all the best to you in finding what will help you.

Lara, you understood it right, my doctor prescribed me Risperdal for anxiety. I am happy that you shared your experience here. From my research I came to the point that there are bunch of alternatives to Risperdal/Zyprexa. I justed named some of them here to maybe get a response from other users.

Did I at least get your message right, that there are better options than Risperdal for anxiety?

Risperdol is an anti-psychotic. It is used off-label for anxiety. That is a strange off-label use of Risperdol. Same goes for Zyprexa. My doc said Xyprexa is best for short term use. For me, it was while Celexa became effective.

Gabapentin is similar to Lyrica. For me, it lets my body and mind 'let go' of tension. It also reduces/eliminates the body twitches. I took 1200 mgs in the beginning. My twitches were bad. Now, I only take 600 mgs an hour before bed. If I don't take it, my tired body stays alert, not relaxed.

L-Tryptophan is the precursor to 5-HTP. It breaks down to 5-HTP.

How much 5-HTP did you take ?

Cymbalta is an SSNRI. It enhances Norepinephrine and Serotonin. Different people get a different level of effectiveness from these types of drugs. It should be helping with anxiety so you would not need to add the benzo. Maybe you need to try a different SSNRI. ??

Anti-anxiety meds do best when combined with talk therapy, CBT or other. They will not stop your anxious thoughts. Just allow you to choose to stop the anxious thoughts.

What steps are you taking to control your anxious thoughts ? Are you continuing CBT ?

I took 100mg 5 htp. Wasn t really effective.

You listed it up very well what I need. An SSRI/SSNRI for depression and anxiety and something to assist my sleep. This gabapentin sounds great. I always had the feeling that I cant let go and something keeps me awake. Some people had also success with melatonine.
I think I will stop taking these anti psychotics and benzos. Dont feel comfortable taking them

And yes, I have regular speech therapy