Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I am 52 and have GAD and constant panic attacks all my life. I have been on meds off and on throughout the years and have been under a tremondous amount of stress for the last year. I take very low doses of everything as Im med sensitive. I have AVNRT and take a low dose of Sotalol AF for that. The psych doc put me on 10mg Lexapro in December along with .5 mg Klonopin for sleep and to calm the rolling panic attacks. Worked well for about 3-4 months, then I suddenly started gaining weight like crazy (always been skinny), and had no sex drive whatsoever (almost the thought makes me ill). I had a hormone workup that showed everything as normal, just needed a little progesterone. The panic subsided for awhile with the meds. In the last month or so now its as though my eyes and brain want to sleep 24/7 but I cannot stay still; Im very restless. I cant think straight. He titrated me down to start on Viibryd last week. I only took 2.5mg of the viibryd one day (his orders) and couldnt stand it. Two days later I still feel off! The brain fog is terrible! Can you recommend something else that I may inquire about at my next visit?
[|AI|]  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is often a long-standing condition, as you say all your life you have faced it. Medications like Buspirone, Escitalopram may be helpful in your case. You also have a lot of side effects with medications. This is partly because people with anxiety disorder are sensitive to side effects of all medications in general. They are more alert and aware and even the slightest side effect causes more anxiety. It is understandable. You may ask your psychiatrist if you can be given benzodiazepines like diazepam for the initial few weeks or months till such time as the other medications can work. You have been on clonazepam (Klonopin) and it worked. However, it is not preferred for the long term. You may also consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in addition to medications.