anti-stuttering medications

[urbanmermaid]

Hi there :)
I'm new to this forum.
I was wondering, can anyone share their experience regarding anti-stuttering medications (such as Zyprexa or others). Did they have any positive effect and would you recommend them?

Thanks

[happy7117]

Hi there :)
I'm new to this forum.
I was wondering, can anyone share their experience regarding anti-stuttering medications (such as Zyprexa or others). Did they have any positive effect and would you recommend them?

Thanks

Pagaclone seems to show great promise in helping our nasty stuttering! I am not sure, but I think Pagaclone is for anti-anxiety. Here is a great video about the positives of Pagaclone that was posted in another thread. http://www.vimeo.com/180630 The man in the video is helped greatly by the Pagaclone. Only problem is, it will be a VERY LOONG time till it gets released to the market. A couple years!!

Anti-anxiety meds are helpfull for some stutterers, but not all. What is effective for one, may not be effective for the other!

I tried Anafranil back in 10th grade for my anxiety related to my stuttering, but that made my stutter holy hell. So that stuff was stopped. Next I tried Zoloft which did not effect my stutter, but made my lose weight! Buspar helped my stutter for a few weeks because I think it might of slowed my mind down. That MIGHT be a go. But it might not work for you, or maybe it will!

I am currently on Inderal, Effexor for depression-anxiety. Before the Inderal and Effexor, my stutter was pretty moderate. Now ever since the Inderal, Effexor--the stuttering is holy nastiness like the Anafranil as explained above. I would like to quit cold-turkey, but that is not good for me!

I can't reccomend any specific med to help you. There are many different posts on here with many opinions onmeds that might help us. My suggestion: read through them, and make an informed decision before trying anything!!

Check with a doctor before you wish to try something that may help your stuttering. What may help your stuttering also might hurt you worse than stuttering feels.

But definately keep your eyes and ears peeled for Pagaclone! That is favored by lot's of us on here!!

[Vermillion]

Found this on another forum, posted a couple of years ago.


Breakthrough Drug Treatment of Stuttering

Zahir Ali M.D.

There has been an unprecedented highly effective drug treatment of stuttering
since 1992 but unfortunately remained unrecognized to stuttering .
Who am I? I am a physician but not practicing since 1994.I am originally from
Pakistan but now residing in USA since 1992.Since 8 years of my age I had
moderatly severe stuttering.I used combination of cloimipramine( a tricyclic
antidepressant i.e TCA)and alprazolam( anxiolytic drug from benzodiazipine
group of drugs) and as result I got 100% control of my 30 years old
stuttering over 4-6 weeks of treatment.I came to USA in 1992 to join
physician residency training hospitals.I treated my stuttering while I was in
my first hospital pragram but I could not continue this program because of my
personal difficulties.Latter I joined two other hospital programs but I was
not allowed to continue them,one in 1993-1994 and other in 1994 simply
because I confided in program directors about story how I cured my stuttering
and expressed a wish to carry my discovery forward for research.I was called
disabled physician because of my history of disabling stuttering and also
using psychiatric medications which had never been supported in scienrtific
literature as treatment of stuttering.This led them to suspect I was abusing
this medications.Now-a-days I am going through a long lengthy process to fix
my immigration status in USA So that I can get legal work permit.I have sent
already my paper about discovery of drug treatment of stuttering to N.I.H but
they want me more number of case reports of similar successful stories of
stuttering control before they decide to conduct a wide scale study.Recently
I came to know about Dr,John Paul Brady,a emeritus psychiatrist from Univ of
Pennsylvania.He studied the drug combo on three stutterers and found this
regime markedly effective in controlling stuttering .He is studying this
regime on more new cases of stutters.
How I came To Discovery? Originally I had observed coexistence of stuttering
and migraine headache in some families including mine.I devised a theory that
pathophysiology of stuttering and migraine headaches are comparable even
clinically these are different.I also believed that elements of anxiety and
depression associated with stuttering contribute the origin of latter to some
degree.These two concept led me to look for drugs which are antidepressant
and anxiolytic in their action and also used in treatment of migraine
headaches.I selected Cloimipramine and Alprazolam.Cloimipramine is an
antidepressant and also useful in prophylactic treatment of migraine
headaches.Alprazolam is an anxiolytic drug but it was not recognized to have
antimigraine action.However alprazolam ,among its fellow group drugs i.e
benzodiazepines drugs,was
considered a distinct drug that has additional actions not present in other
group drugs.My idea worked out and these two drugs in combination conferred
me absolute fluency.With further experimentation on me I come to an
unprecedented observation that either of cloimpramine and alprazolam are not
effective in treating stuttering if used separately but in combination they
are remarkably effective for the same action.
What about other antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs? In the beginning I used
combination of cloimpramine,alprazolam and buspar.Latter I found that buspar
has no role in treating stuttering.So I discontinued it.In 1994 I
experimented to use combination of Fluoxetine(Prozac) and alprazolam.This did
not work in controlling my stuttering.The same observation was also cled
by a stutter being treated with drugs for stuttering under Dr.Brady's
supervision.Prozac is most commonly used antidepressant medication
now-a-days.I also experimented to use combination of Cloimipramine and
Clonazepam(Klonopin) but this also did not work in controlling my
stuttering.The same observation has also been cled by a stutter who
contacted me on internet.Klonopin is an anxiolytic drug from benzodiazepine
group.These two experiments provided me an interesting conclusion that
Cloimipramine and Alprazolam are effective in controlling stuttering at least
not through their antidepressant and anxiolytic actions because if it had
been then combination of cloimipramine plus clonazepam and prozac plus
alprazolam would have been effective also as both combinations are effective
antidepressant and anxiolytic in actions.So how combination of cloimpramine
and alprazolam are working?I believe it is through anti-migraine action of
this combination.
Elavil(Amytriptalin) is another antidepressant and is effective in
controlling stuttering if it is used with alprazolam.But it appears to me it
is somewhat less potent than Cloimipramine.
Dr.Brady has experimented a new antidepressant drug,Celexa or Cytalopram.on
some stutters.A stutter was put first on combination of cloimpramine and
alprazoalm.He noticed tremendous improvenment in stuttering but he was not
tolerant to side effects.Dr.Brady put him on celexa and alprazolam.This
regime also worked for him and was also more tolerant to this
combination,Gradually he withdrew alprazolam using celexa alone.The
candidate cls celexa alone is also working good in his case in controlling
stuttering.
Two other stutters under Dr.Brady's supervision were doing well while using
cloimipramine and alprazolam in respect to antistuttering action as well as
side effects.Dr.Brady put them also on Celexa and
Alprazolam.After a use of 2 weeks,both stutters reported celexa plus
alprazolam did work in controlling their stuttering but quality of control of
stuttering and anxiety was superior with cloimipramine plus alprazolam rather
than celexa plus alprazolam.Both stutters decided to go back to use
cloimpre and alprazolam rather than celexa plus alprazolam.
Dr.Brady is studying on two more stutters now.He put them first on celexa
plus alprazolam.They are in their first or second week of treatment.It is too
early to give a definite report about them.
Two Components of Stuttering in my theory.Patholgically there are two
components of stuttering i.e stuttering core or organic part of stuttering
and antcipatory anxiety or behavioral part of stuttering.Latter is secondary
to former one or stuttering core drives anticipatory anxiety.How?Every
stutter is aware of bad and good days of stuttering or periodic changes in
stuttering severity.If anticipatory anxiety had been a primary factor then it
would have been unbelievable that same stutter with same speaking situation
shows less stuttering one day and more stuttering other day.It is the
stuttering core which changes periodically and thus secondary anticipatory
anxiety accordingly.I believe cloimpramine plus alprazolam act on stuttering
core and as result anticipatory anxiety is alleviated
automatically.Traditional speech therapy work on anticipatory anxiety only
and leaving stuttering core unaffected.In addition to periodic changes of
stuttering core,latter's severity also increases or decreases for long
duration say years or rest of life.If favorable long term changes in
stuttering core occurs during course of traditional speech therapy, latter is
credited for successful outcome.
I have developed a presumptive anatomy of stuttering.Malfunction of
Hypothalamus-limbic system(HLS:primary center:stuttering Core) affects the
target center i.e speech regultory centers in left cerbral cortex of
brain,through intermediate area of caudate nucleus.In non-stutters HLS keeps
the dominant speech regultaory area in one cortex,most commonly left cortex
of brain and in some right one.In
stutters HLS is unable to keep this dominancy so there is bilateral
activation of cerebral cortex which in turn activate the secondary component
of anticipatory anxiety through amygdala.The secondory component of anxiety
aggravate the function of caudate nucleus and thus increasing stuttering
severity but anxiety has no effect on HLS.
Are drugs easily available and safe to use?Cloimipre and alprazolam are
not new drugs but already under use as antidepressant and anxiolytic
indications for many years.
Like other drugs these too have side effects.But generally this combination
is quite safe under supervision of family physician or a psychiatrist.
There is no permanent damage to brain or body from use of this combinations.
Common side effects are sedation,drymouth,constipation and impotency.But
occurance these side effects is highly relative from individual to
individual.Some are tolerant to these side effects upto higher doses and
some are intolerant to these even at lower doses.Further some are sensitive
to fluency control action of the drugs i.e some need lower doses to control
stuttering and others need higher doses.Obviously those who needs lower doses
they are less likely to see side effects and vice versa.
All side effects tend to decrease with continued use of drugs over a period
of time.
Do the drugs loose their effectiveness with continued use? I have used the
regime over last 7 years I have not seen this phenomenon,medically called
Tolerance phenomenon.Three stutters are using this regime under Dr.Brady's
supervision for last 4 months and none has observed this phenomenon and are
satisfied with uniform control of stuttering.
Addiction potential of alprazolam?Psychiatrists has opinion that as long as
candidate using alprazolam maintains the control of the disease at certain
dose,alprazolam is safe.For the indication of stuttering,alprazolam plus
cloimipramine continues to work at same level at certain doses for indefinite
time.So there is less likely chance of addiction while using alprazolam for
stuttering.But those who has history of drug abuse of any kind of sedative
drug are relatively at risk to develop alprazolam addiction.
Have the drugs to be taken for lifelong?Yes
How use of this regime impacts stutter's life?I and stutters under study of
Dr.Brady have clearly noticed improved fluency,elimination of avoidance
behavior and beginning new effective life.
Who is Dr.Brady?Dr.Brady is an emeritus psychiatrist from University of
Pennsylvania.He has written many articles for renowned medical journals
regarding different drug treatments for stuttering used in the history of
mankind.He has also studied some different drugs for stuttering like
verapamil,antipsychotic drugs,bethenicol etc.I first knew about him through
internet in 1998.After I sent information about my theory and my case
report,he showed his interest to study this regime in other stutters.In his
opinion without any doubt or question this regime works for stuttering.
Dosage Start from minimum doses like alprazolam 0.25mg/day and cloimipramine
25mg/day.Increase doses upto alprazolam 1mg/day and cloimipramine 75-100m/day
during next 3 weeks.Stay at the same doses for next 2 weeks more.Further
increase in doses depends upon your physician decision depending upon your
tolerance to side effects and degree of fluency control you have achieved.
Conclusion So far Dr.Brady and I thinks that this regime definitely works
for stuttering.Considering safety
of the regime stutters are encouraged to take this treatment under
supervision of family physician or psychiatrist and report their cases to
address given below.
Zahir Ali,94-10 60th Ave Apt #1L,Elmhurst NY 11373.Ph 718-699-7974

[Vermillion]

Continued..

Anecdotal cases--Clomipramine,Alprazolam and Citalopram as treatment of
stuttering

A-Cases directly under supervision of Dr.Brady
CASE # 1A
The first, patient "A", is a 36 year old man who has stuttered since age 5.
He has had limited success with a variety of treatments over the years.
Dr.Brady treated him several years ago with a variety of pharmacologic
agents, including Aricept, bethanechol, verapamil and Risperdal. None was
helpful. Dr.Brady despaired of finding an effective drug regimen. Three
months ago Dr.Brady saw patient "A" again. His speech was the same -
moderately severe stuttering. He was started - a small dose of alprazolam
(0.5 mg hs) with a small dose of clomipramine (25 mg hs). Then dosages of
both drugs were systematically increased. When the dosage of alprazolam
reached 2 mg hs and clomipramine reached 100 mg hs, his "speech was
dramatically improved. He estimated an 80% reduction in stuttering. Dr.Brady
was equally impressed on talking with him. He reports speaking more at work
and in social situations. The only side effects he has are some fatigue and
constipation. He continues to improve without additional increases in
medication. He started treatment on11/17/98 and since then he is continuously
on treatment under supervision of Dr.Brady. He tried Celexa, another
antidepressant drug, suggested by Dr.Brady but candidate was more satisfied
with combo of cloimipramine and Alprazolam so preferred using latter.
CASE # 2A

The second patient, Mr. JD, is a 47 year old married man who has stuttered
since age 4. He has benefited from some speech therapy but still is a severe
stutterer. He was begun on clomipramine (25 mg hs). This brought some
immediate but modest improvement in speech. Hence Dr.Brady gradually
increased the dosage of alprazolam to 0.5 mg tid and clomipramine to 25 mg
qid. At this dosage level he reported marked improvement in speech and in
his adjustment in general but could not tolerate side effects so contained
himself at lower doses.He started treatment on 4/9/99 and still on it.He also
tried Celexa for a while but he preferred to switch back to combo of
cloimipramine and Alprazolam.
CASE #3A
The third patient, Dr. AM is a 55 year old physician who has a severe
stuttering problem since age 4 He had tried numerous medications and therapy
programs over the years, but had obtained only minimal improvement in his
speech.. He started first with combo of cloimipramine and Alprazolam.He got
significant control over stuttering but he could not tolerate the side
effects of this combo.Dr.Brady suggested him to use Celexa.He tolerated this
medication with satisfied control of stuttering. He scored 6 (severe stutter)
on the 7-point scale for rating the severity of stuttering. His response to
the combination of alprazolain (1.0 mg twice daily) and citalopram (10 mg at
bedtime) was prompt and dramatic. We could detect only traces of his former
impediment. Family,friends,and colleagues have all spontaneously noted and
remarked on his greatly increased fluency. Dr. A. reports that he now speaks
out in many situations. where previously he said little out of fear of
stuttering. His score on the Stuttering Rating Scale decreased from 6 to 2
(mild stutter). In his 20th week of treatment, Dr. A. continued to improve.
With this great reduction in suttering, his anticipatory anxiety has greatly
reduced, making it possible to gradually discontinue his alprozolam use.
However, the citalopram (reducing the core symptoms of stuttering). remains
necessary (20 mg at bed- time).Dr.A reported he had used Prozac plus Xanax
before present therapy a while ago and that the regime aggravated his
stuttering instead of improving.Dr.A told Dr.Ali
on phone that he was 10-15% more fluent on combo of Alprazolam and
Cloimipramine as compared to using Celexa alone or with Alprazolam.But latter
is conferring him satisfactory and significant control of stuttering with
minimal side effects profile.
CASE # 4A
Fourth is "AA" ,52 years of age,male having initial stuttering rating scale
of 6.He was put on celexa 20mg HS and xanax 0.5mg tid.He started treatment
on 1/26/99.Until 4/22/99 his stuttering improved significantly with
stuttering rating csacle reduced to 1.5.
CASE # 5A
Female,"WJ",52 year old with initial stuttering rating scale of 3 was put
on Celexa 20mg OD and Xanax 0.5mg TID.She could not resisted drowsiness at
work. So Dr.Brady put her on Buspar 10mg HS in replace of Xanax while
continuing Celexa.She started therapy 9/10/99.By 10/4/99 her stuttering
rating scale was reduced to 1.
CASE # 6A
Female,"CB",39 years old with very severe and uncontrolled form of
stuttering had stuttering rating scale of 6.5 at start of
treatment(5/10/99).She was put on celexa 20 mg hs and Xanax 0.5 mg hs.She
tried Cloimipramine plus Xanax in place of celexa plus Xanax but tolerated
medications very poorly so switched back to to original regime.Her present
stuttering rating scale is 4.5.She is relatively tough case to treat.
CASE #7A
Female"EE",50 years old, with stuttering rating scale of 4 at start of
treatment(6/29/99) was given Xanax
0.5mg hs and Celexa 20 mg/day.By 11/55/99 her rating scale was reduced to
1.5.


B-Cases treated by their family physician based on information posted on
internet by Dr.Zahir Ali

Cases # 1B
(I am attaching email of patient's Father to me)
Date: 17.05.00 16:18:54 Eastern Daylight Time
My name is RC and I have had some contact with both(Dr.Ali and Dr.Brady) of
you regarding my 16 year old son who has stuttered since he was about three
years old.
He started the drug treatment (Alprazolam & Clomipramine) March 27, 2000. He
has been at full dose (alprazolam 1mg/day, clomipramine 100m/day) for several
weeks. We have seen drastic improvement in his fluency. He is very happy
with the transformation. He only occasionally has trouble, but reports even
them he has more control and just slows down and everything comes out right.
He no longer has big blocks. I would guess and say that he is about 90%
fluent and seems to improve a little every week.
The only side effect seems to be slight drowsiness......he says it doesn't
bother him and it seems to be lessening. He now goes out and socializes with
others his own age. He even has started to attend a youth group at church.
Something he would have never done. He was so excited that he can now even
order his own food in restaurants! He even speaks up during class at school.
He seems to have a whole new life!!
As I reported to Dr. Ali. My son also had almost daily migraines and they
have also subsided after starting the medicine.Thank you both so much for
your help. Dr. Brady, thank you for sending me a copy of the published
article. I will continue to report back our results. We were very fortunate
to find a doctor here that was willing to help us, Neurologist, Dr. PS - San
Jose, Ca. Thanks again!
CASE # 2B
(Direct email of patient to Dr.Ali)
(Date: 21.03.00 12:23:15 Eastern Standard Time)
It has now been two months since I started your treatment, and I have found
it has relieved my stutter by about 70-80%. This has indeed been greatly
beneficial to me, and has enabled me to speak far more effectively.I have
been posting messages of my case to the alt.support.stuttering newsgroup
using a deja account and my username of sb.My question now is, is there
anything you would like me to do that would aid the research and development
of this treatment? For example, I would be happy to compile a case study and
send it to you or Dr. Brady if it would help.If I can be of any assistance I
will be. Thank you very much for making this treatment known to me, I wish
you all the best and would be interested
in hearing of any further developments with this treatment.SB ,UK
Thirsk, UK
CASE # 3B
This message was posted on Stuttering Home Page
<http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/comdis/kuster/chat/chatroom.html>

John Smith - 02:54pm Mar 25, 1999 CST
I have been a stutter for over fifty years. In spite of this I have become a
competent professional. My stuttering had become worse over the last few
years and was severe. I took the combination of cloinipramine and alprazolam
under medical supervision with dramatic improvement in my fluency within 24
hours. I tried stopping the medications and by the 5th and 6th days my
fluency deteriorated and stuttering returned. I resumed the medication and
fluency returned.On the medication I could realize how much tension had been
in my voice box and that it was relieved resulting in improved fluency.

CASE # 4B
Case A male in his twenties was with history of migraine headache and
stuttering for many years.He was taking Amitryptaline(Elavil) 50-75 mg/day
prescribed to control his migraine headache for last eleven years.During last
one year his physician added Klonopin to enhance anxiety control related to
stuttering.After a while his physician replaced klonopin with xanax.Within
one week of combined use of elavil and xanax he noticed dramatic improvement
in fluency and overall stuttering behavior.All previously feared speaking
situations were no more hindrance in speaking effectively and with enhanced
fluency control.When he read Dr.Ali posting about his drug treatment of
stuttering on internet he sent email to former.Dr.Ali informed him elavil was
very similar to cloimpramine in clinical action so his improvement in
stuttering was quite predictable on basis of Dr.Ali's hypothesis.
Unfortunately his physician was not willing to prescribe xanax for long
period for potential risk of addiction so he switched back him from xanax to
Klonpin.He returned to previous level of stuttering.Then patient was looking
for another physician to get prescription of xanax.
CASE # 5B
Date: 28.02.00 14:37:36 Eastern Standard Time
As I told you before the drugs have not cured my stutter , but I do feel much
more relaxed in myself and calmer. I do feel the drugs have improved my
speech but not total fluency yet . However the side affects i was
experiencing are not so bad at all now . I have been taking maximum dosage of
both drugs now for about 8 weeks . 100mg of clomipramine a day , and 100mcg
of alprazolam a day . I take the drugs all at the same time at nightime,
should I take the doses in stages throughout the day or is it ok to take them
all at once.Anyway on the whole , the drugs have improved my speech so I
suppose any improvement is better than nothing . Thankyou for keeping in
touch , and please get back to me as soon as possible.

CASE # 6B
This stutter got alprazplam prescription from his physician only after former
showed our article published in a medical Journal to latter.
Date: 11.05.00 03:22:51 Eastern Daylight Time
Ok, I have been on Alprazolam for 1 week (and still originally taking Zoloft
for about 1.5 months now). And I don't know whether or not it's the Zoloft's
effects that has finally "kicks" in, or it's the Alprazolam, but since I've
been taking Alprazolam, I could really see my speech is getting better.
Somehow, the anxiety of speaking is lessen in my mind. So I talk more
naturally and spontaneously. I could say words now that I had anxiety of
saying it before. And the anxiety effects of the Alprazolam don't just work
on my speech, but it works on my surrounding as well. I don't get
humanphobia like I used to before; I am less shy now. And I think all these
factors definitely contribute to my fluent speech. But I am not to a point
of satisfying with my speech. Despite all the positive signs of the last
week, I am still stutter noticeably.
Can I improve my speech by continue taking the same dosage of Alprazolam or
increase it?
Should I disconnect taking Zoloft and begin to take Cloimipramine
GROUP CASES (# 7B)
About 6 more cases started treatment and contacted me about their
results.These cases have common characteristics.All took Cloimipramine and
Alprazolam in gradually increasing doses for less than or equal to 4 weeks
time.They tolerated two side effects very poorly i.e. drowsiness and
impotency.Even most noticed very early improvement in stuttering control but
they preferred not to continue drug therapy in wake of side effects.
GROUP CASES(# 8B)

About six more cases could not start the treatment because their family
physician did not want to prescribe Alprazolam for long time because its
potential risk of addiction.
Conclusion
Alprazolam and Cloimipramine in combination is new effective drug treatment
of stuttering. Some patients tolerate side effects well and others not. Some
stutters noticed stuttering control within days and some take weeks. Some
need lower doses than other to bring same control over stuttering. Among
tricyclic antidepressant Cloimipramine seems to be standard but Elavil is
also effective. Among SSRI group Prozac seems to have no antistuttering
action as noticed by Dr.Ali in his own case and in case #3C.Dr.Ali never
received any cl that Prozac helped any body in controlling stuttering.But
some other SSRI like Zoloft,Paxil and Celexa are effective in controlling
stuttering either as single agent or in combination of Xanax or Buspar in
selected cases. Specially Dr.Brady has found encouraging results with
celexa.Klonopin in compare to Xanax also does not seem to have
antistuttering action.
Depending on the tolerance to side effects of medications, someone can try
one of following drugs regime as treatment of stuttering
1)Cloimipramine plus Alprazolam
2)Celexa plus alprazolam
3)Celexa plus Buspar
4)Celexa alone.

[urbanmermaid]

Thanks for your responses :)
Where exactly did you find that article? It was very interesting to read. I googled Dr. Zahir Ali but couldn't find much...
I read a lot of things about Pagaclone and it seems very promising. The only bad thing is that we'll have to wait for a few years (3 or maybe 5?!) before it is commercialized.
This is the first time I hear that stuttering may somehow be related to migraines! I guess it makes sense, since dopamine probably has influence on that too.

[urbanmermaid]

Zyprexa is mentioned in wikipedia as an anti-stuttering medication but I hear it's really expensive??

[happy7117]

The only bad thing is that we'll have to wait for a few years (3 or maybe 5?!) before it is commercialized.

That is a very long wait which I obviously hate!

[ratboy]

Has anybody else on this forum tried this? I encourage those of you have the means (a dad who's a psychiatrist or something along those lines) to try this and post your results. As long as it's with a doctor I think we could all try certain things for ourselves and tell the rest of the forum if it has helped us.

[Millerboy]

(urbanmermaid, I sent you a private message about your anti-stuttering medications. Check your messages at the top right of the window, right under Welcome, urbanmermaid.)

I'm a male stutterer, I've been one my whole life. Since I was born, I was stuttering for as long as I can remember. I have the SpeechEasy device, but it does not work well in loud environments, it produces so much background noise that it's ineffective. It works in quiet environments but using it 24/7 means I can't hear anything in one ear because it blocks the ear canal completely. Basically I have 1 ear to hear with on the SpeechEasy.

urbanmermaid, I want to ask what dosage of Xanax do you take? And how often a day? How long have you been taking Xanax? I'm going to see my psychiatrist tomorrow and I read your forum posts about taking only 0.5 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg in the evening of Xanax. I'm also on Paxil (an anti-depressant), but it gives me manic episodes so I'm slowly weaning off it. I tried to get off Paxil fast but I had severe withdrawal effects.

Speaking of withdrawal effects, do you have any withdrawal or addiction problems with Xanax? I noticed that you said on low dosages, there is no addiction, but that was over 1 year ago, are you still doing fine today? And does it still reduce stuttering by 80%? You're also on an anti-depressant too, but a tricyclic one, I think. Does that help and which kind of anti-depressant do you take? I want to know if I should get off Paxil if it is making my stuttering worse, and get on something that is better.

Sincerely,
Steven

[urbanmermaid]

(urbanmermaid, I sent you a private message about your anti-stuttering medications. Check your messages at the top right of the window, right under Welcome, urbanmermaid.)

I'm a male stutterer, I've been one my whole life. Since I was born, I was stuttering for as long as I can remember. I have the SpeechEasy device, but it does not work well in loud environments, it produces so much background noise that it's ineffective. It works in quiet environments but using it 24/7 means I can't hear anything in one ear because it blocks the ear canal completely. Basically I have 1 ear to hear with on the SpeechEasy.

urbanmermaid, I want to ask what dosage of Xanax do you take? And how often a day? How long have you been taking Xanax? I'm going to see my psychiatrist tomorrow and I read your forum posts about taking only 0.5 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg in the evening of Xanax. I'm also on Paxil (an anti-depressant), but it gives me manic episodes so I'm slowly weaning off it. I tried to get off Paxil fast but I had severe withdrawal effects.

Speaking of withdrawal effects, do you have any withdrawal or addiction problems with Xanax? I noticed that you said on low dosages, there is no addiction, but that was over 1 year ago, are you still doing fine today? And does it still reduce stuttering by 80%? You're also on an anti-depressant too, but a tricyclic one, I think. Does that help and which kind of anti-depressant do you take? I want to know if I should get off Paxil if it is making my stuttering worse, and get on something that is better.

Sincerely,
Steven

Hi Steve :)

I got your message but I'm going to reply here so that everyone can read and hopefully find it useful.

Currently I'm on 1.5mg of Xanax XR per day (some days I don't feel the need to take any at all simply because I'd probably stay at home studying or whatever). I used to take Anafranil before, just like this article suggests, but I no longer use it because I found out it doesn't really provide that much additional help at least for me.

What I take now instead and have found REALLY helpful is Propranolol. It's a really inexpensive drug (I got 4 blisters for the equivalent of like, 2 dollars) and it works VERY well in combination with Xanax. Even my neurologist said that they normally use this specific combination in old people when they have tremours and she thinks this is possibly similar to stuttering (overtensing of the muscles in the mouth when we speak etc).

As for withdrawal symptoms... I could go for like 3 days without taking any xanax but after that I'd take just 1mg.. but no I don't think i have any major withdrawal/dependency symptoms or whatever. The second Pagaclone comes out I'll probably ditch all that LOL! :P

Anyway, no matter what some people say about Xanax I have to say that it's a really good medicine and it does help everyone, even my neurologist said that it's a very good drug. Just don't get on really HIGH doses like some people.. crazy stuff like 4 or 5 mg per day.. it's not in your interest. Stick to the lowest dose that works for you :)

Anyway, hope you found this helpful and if you have any more questions feel free to ask :))

[fearfactory]

tnx for the info.. am just interested when it comes to drugs that alleviate this stuttering atleast... so normally based on your experience with this combination, how many days you would take this combination before you feel the effect of less-stuttering..? or, from the very first time you have taken it and just after several minutes, it already has effect? and usually how long was the effect..? i mean, atleast how many hours..?

you didnt mention the dosage of propranolol..and when you would take it..is it in the morning after breakfast? or need to take it to an empty stomach...?
as far as i remember..you have mentioned here that you are a mild stutterer just like me..so if i may ask..how's your improvement being a mild stutterer after takng this combination.. imean..do you become 90% fluent..? or what..?


sorry if i got lots of questions..am just a bit anxious when am thinking of my upcoming applications or job interviews..i will likely need these drugs..and i hope it could help me..

if this combination has a fast effect.. just like you.. being a mild stutterer... am planning not to use it almost everyday.,but just for the days that i know lots of talking is needed..and ur right,it is wise to take drugs as minimal as possible coz of the adverse effects...

wer taught that all drugs.. as in all drugs have side effects..and i believe on that..

thanks Urban.. hope this will work.. even atleast for the meantime ..coz am also waiting for the Pagoclone.. hope God will help us on this one..tnx again..

[Millerboy]

Hi Steve :)
Currently I'm on 1.5mg of Xanax XR per day (some days I don't feel the need to take any at all simply because I'd probably stay at home studying or whatever). I used to take Anafranil before, just like this article suggests, but I no longer use it because I found out it doesn't really provide that much additional help at least for me.

Hi urbanmermaid, thank you for your reply. I wonder if you take 1.5mg of Xanax XR in the morning, or do you split it up like 1mg in morning and .5mg in afternoon? My doctor prescribed me 0.25mg to start, and if I need more, he can increase the dose.

How long does it take to work? Will I feel the effects the first time I take it? Or will it take 3 weeks or even 2 months for Xanax to kick in?

Also, what's your dosage of Propranolol? Are there any side effects with Propranolol?

Thank you,
Steven

[urbanmermaid]

Hi urbanmermaid, thank you for your reply. I wonder if you take 1.5mg of Xanax XR in the morning, or do you split it up like 1mg in morning and .5mg in afternoon? My doctor prescribed me 0.25mg to start, and if I need more, he can increase the dose.

How long does it take to work? Will I feel the effects the first time I take it? Or will it take 3 weeks or even 2 months for Xanax to kick in?

Also, what's your dosage of Propranolol? Are there any side effects with Propranolol?

Thank you,
Steven

No, I take everything I need in the morning so I don't have to worry about taking anything else during the day.

I take one 25mg pill of Propranolol (what a weird name isn't it) and another one at bedtime. The reason why it's so cheap is because it's a really old drug. They told me there are new and better beta blockers now but I decided to give it a go, see how it goes because I've read about it online etc. So I got a lifetime prescription for it (well I'm sure I'll have to renew it at some point or something) but yeah, it's pretty safe and works for me. I think only a cardiologist can prescribe it though, at least that's the way it is here.

[numba0]

No, I take everything I need in the morning so I don't have to worry about taking anything else during the day.

I take one 25mg pill of Propranolol (what a weird name isn't it) and another one at bedtime. The reason why it's so cheap is because it's a really old drug. They told me there are new and better beta blockers now but I decided to give it a go, see how it goes because I've read about it online etc. So I got a lifetime prescription for it (well I'm sure I'll have to renew it at some point or something) but yeah, it's pretty safe and works for me. I think only a cardiologist can prescribe it though, at least that's the way it is here.

hello urban i was just wondering how long have you been taking xanax?Does xanax loose its effect after a year?I want to try this until pagoclone comes out which will take at earliest a year before its released.:(

[urbanmermaid]

Sorry for going a bit off-topic here but have you all read what Michael Jackson was taking before he died?

40 xanax pills a night plus 10 other things among which straight morphine injected 3 times daily.. lol.. how nuts is that?? I wonder how he survived for as long as he did. But I guess it explains why he always talked so SSSLLLOOOWWWLLLYYYYYYY lol

[Millerboy]

No, I take everything I need in the morning so I don't have to worry about taking anything else during the day.

I take one 25mg pill of Propranolol (what a weird name isn't it) and another one at bedtime. The reason why it's so cheap is because it's a really old drug. They told me there are new and better beta blockers now but I decided to give it a go, see how it goes because I've read about it online etc. So I got a lifetime prescription for it (well I'm sure I'll have to renew it at some point or something) but yeah, it's pretty safe and works for me. I think only a cardiologist can prescribe it though, at least that's the way it is here.

Hi urbanmermaid, I checked with my doctor and the pharmacy, also I looked online, and there's no 25mg pill of propranolol, the closest pills are the 20mg and a 40mg version of the drug. Can you check again for me what dosage you are taking for propranolol? Or are you splitting the pills in half with a pill cutter? Thanks.

PROPRANOLOL 20MG/5ML SOLN
PROPRANOLOL 40MG/5ML SOLN
PROPRANOLOL 60MG TABLETS
PROPRANOLOL 10MG TABS
PROPRANOLOL 40MG TABLETS
PROPRANOLOL 20MG TABLETS
PROPRANOLOL 80MG TABLETS
PROPRANOLOL ER 160MG CAPSULES
PROPRANOLOL ER 60MG CAPSULES
PROPRANOLOL 80MG ER CAPSULES
PROPRANOLOL 120MG ER CAPSULES

[MojoRizen]

Hi there :)
I'm new to this forum.
I was wondering, can anyone share their experience regarding anti-stuttering medications (such as Zyprexa or others). Did they have any positive effect and would you recommend them?

Thanks

Whatever you do, don't turn to alcohol. I'm not saying you would, but, just in case.:)

[Irish]

Hey Guys,
I've been using this site as a reference for medications that have worked for people in the past. I have tried a combination of Clomipramine and Xanax, which has worked for others, but the clomipramine has ual side effects that no college (or any) guy probably wants to have to deal with. I went back last week and asked my doctor for xanax and Propranolol, which so far has worked quite well. I've only been taking it for 6 days, but I have definitely noticed an improvement in not only my confidence but also my fluency. I take 1 MG Xanax in the morning and around lunch time (if I feel that I need it), but most of the time just stick to the 1MG in the morning. I also take 60MG propanolol once a day, which made me kind of lethargic at first but I am getting used to it and am still able to work out bi-daily. Just thought I'd give you my 2 cents, good luck with the experimentation

[fabiola7386]

Hello friends...
I don't have any knowledge about stuttering, but i came across many posts stating their anxiety and depression.
Don't get depressed, no one in this whole world is perfect, every one have their own flaws!!
So cheer up!!

[howeee]

Sorry for going a bit off-topic here but have you all read what Michael Jackson was taking before he died?

40 xanax pills a night plus 10 other things among which straight morphine injected 3 times daily.. lol.. how nuts is that?? I wonder how he survived for as long as he did. But I guess it explains why he always talked so SSSLLLOOOWWWLLLYYYYYYY lol

no wonder he didnt stutter

[greggsteven]

i started taking 60mg of Remeron at night, 5mg abilify in the morn with 0.5 klonopin and Strattera. My stuttering has all but disappeared.

i have ADD with anxiety issues.

[ratboy]

i started taking 60mg of Remeron at night, 5mg abilify in the morn with 0.5 klonopin and Strattera. My stuttering has all but disappeared.

i have ADD with anxiety issues.

that's a few too many pills in my opinion. check back in a while to see if your change continued. I also have an anxiety disorder.

[greggsteven]

you would think so. but the psychiatrist is also a neurologist. Some of these meds work together. The klonopin, remeron are for the anxiety, abilify works with those to keep from getting drowsy and the strattera is for the add.

I really feel great for the first time in many, many years.

[Vandy]

that's a few too many pills in my opinion. check back in a while to see if your change continued. I also have an anxiety disorder.

I also take 15 mg Paxil, 1 mg klonopin daily, for anxiety. Just started taking 40 mg Strattera daily for ADD. All prescribed by the same Dr.

I can also attest, my stammering/stuttering has all but disappeared after a lifetime and totally changed my life and confidence. :)

It makes me wonder if Anxiety/stress go hand and hand with stuttering???

[Dinasaur]

stuttering really seems to be such a psychological problem
why do you resort to drugs?
becuase you're afraid to overcome stuttering on your own, becuase you're afraid to leave your comfort zone and show people who you REALLY are. you're afraid to embarass yourself and in desperation go looking for some magic pill.
COME ON YOU GUYS!
we need to be stronger.
i know what its like to lose all hope of ever being able to hold a conversation with a person, but if you dont believe in yourself, and step out of your comfort zone, you'll never become comfortable with yourself...

[Vandy]

stuttering really seems to be such a psychological problem
why do you resort to drugs?
becuase you're afraid to overcome stuttering on your own, becuase you're afraid to leave your comfort zone and show people who you REALLY are. you're afraid to embarass yourself and in desperation go looking for some magic pill.
COME ON YOU GUYS!
we need to be stronger.
i know what its like to lose all hope of ever being able to hold a conversation with a person, but if you dont believe in yourself, and step out of your comfort zone, you'll never become comfortable with yourself...

Isn't this why most people come to this forum? For help?

I had anxiety and if you don't know what it is like, please don't try to belittle someone for seeking help for it and calling it desperation.

My Dr. put me on Paxil for the anxiety and it DID stop my stuttering. I am not ashamed at all that this is working for me. It feels great for the first time in my life to be able to hold normal conversations, yes it does!

Trying to control it for almost 40 years....well, it was obvious I was not going to stop stuttering on my own. So please do not try to pass judgment on me and tell me I don't believe it myself or will never me comfortable with myself.

You don't know me. Sheesh!

[howeee]

stuttering really seems to be such a psychological problem
why do you resort to drugs?
becuase you're afraid to overcome stuttering on your own, becuase you're afraid to leave your comfort zone and show people who you REALLY are. you're afraid to embarass yourself and in desperation go looking for some magic pill.
COME ON YOU GUYS!
we need to be stronger.
i know what its like to lose all hope of ever being able to hold a conversation with a person, but if you dont believe in yourself, and step out of your comfort zone, you'll never become comfortable with yourself...

In the age of google I dont know why people keep repeating false information. What is known for sure is stuttering has its roots in a physical problem. It is old news already, why people want to keep comming up with this psychological crap when its already proven false for a long time, I cant figure it out. Use "The Google"

[greggsteven]

i think the stuttering brain gets bombarded with dopamine when you anticipate speech. The medications moderate that and you can speak. This is the best ive felt in my life.

When i was a young man and tried cocaine, i noticed i couldnt talk for shit and grinded my teeth till i got a headache. Stimulants act on the dopamine in the brain. Thats when i knew there had to be some kind of chemical imbalance component to stuttering.

[freeflow918]

I've been on Lexapro and Xanax for stuttering. Is there a difference in speech performance from Lexapro to Clomipramine. My doc told me its an older trycylic that is not as selective on seretonin receptors. Has anyone tried both Lexapro and Clomipramine and noticed a difference.

[simeon]

A big hello to my fellow stutters! am very happy to read about the success stories.please i would like to get some informations about these drug.

is propa? or xanan known worldwide?
is it a over counter drugs?
does it need to be prescribed by adoctor?

i reside in the uae,is it possible for to order it from another country?

let me use this opportunity to say that ,i am a mild to moderate stutter.

please help me! i want to have the freeom of fluency.
thanks:confused:

[Vandy]

i started taking 60mg of Remeron at night, 5mg abilify in the morn with 0.5 klonopin and Strattera. My stuttering has all but disappeared.

i have ADD with anxiety issues.


Gregg,
That is great news! I'm on 15 mg Paxil, and 1 mg Klonopin for anxiety. I know that the Paxil slows down the metabolism, hence the reason for feeling calm.

I think all those years I was so anxious that the words just couldn't/wouldn't come out. Strange part, many of the times, I didn't even realize I was anxious! It was just a *block* in my throat that resulted in stammering and stuttering.

I tried to wean off the Paxil and within a week or two, the stammering came right back. Wasn't going to have any of that, so I went back to my usual dose.

Stress causes many physical aliments. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1984, had on and off flair ups. THAT TOO came to an abrupt halt when I started the Paxil. I haven't taken medication for the UC in years. :)

It would be very interesting to see how many stutterers resolved their stuttering through anxiety drugs.

[greggsteven]

my doc put me on Remeron and Klonopin because Remeron doesnt have the ual side effects like lexapro. The Klonopin has a cheap generic and isnt as habit forming as Xanax. You take the Remeron at night and sleep like a baby.

Works pretty good for me. I can be talking and waiting for my block or stutter and the words keep flowing. Very strange when it happens.

I also, like probably most stutterers have ADD which i take Strattera for.

[JR123]

guys, all those drugs have MAJOR side effects, such as ual disfunction and dizziness and weight gains, parkinson and sore muscles.
any of you guys knows any drug that has a minimal side effects?

[Eminash]

It's interesting to read that some stutterers are reporting improvement in their speech with paxil, whereas some others earlier dismissed this SSRI as either of no benefit or even worsen the speech disorder.

Please others report on your success so far with paxil in combo with any other. I've still not heard that prozac or zoloft has an positive value in this situation.

[freeflow918]

Is there something about Anafranil that it works better than other anti-depressants ex. Lexapro, or is it just a more affordable med?

Does anyone feel like the combination Anafranil and Xanax is biochemically superior than that of other AD's.

I'm wondering because I have to convince my Pdoc of this. Because he doesn't like the med

[Eminash]

I learnt that the promising anti-stuttering drug Pagoclone has been withdrawn and the trials closed. Anyone knows what's happening?

[howeee]

I believe that is wrong

[adryan]

Anybody tried mumio ?I heard is a natural medicin ,but is required a 6 month treatment

[lou holtz]

Sorry to say but Pagoclone is done. The drug co said it failed to meet their expectations. You can go to their web site or give em a call. I had a few friends on it and for some it did help but others nothing.

What a shame for the few people it did help. They can no longer take the med.

[maxamillion]

Just to clarify, Pagoclone is not done. The results did not meet the pre-testing expectations but that doesn't mean it was a complete failure and is being discontinued. It just means it wasn't as successful as they had hoped.

I'm currently on .25mg xanax and 20mg paxil. I just started this combo two days ago, anyone have success on these two meds together?

[Rich]

I have been in the Pagoclone study (both closed label and open label) but recently stopped taking the medication. This is my experience. My observations are based on my own personal experience with Pagoclone and may be different from others. It works at reducing my stuttering but not as much as I would have liked. I think a 20% reduction in stuttering, which is what has previously been reported, is about what I experienced. Pagoclone seemed to work by relieving vocal cord tension. My vocal cords felt more relaxed on Pagoclone and this made it easier to talk. The one thing Pagclone did for me was made me realize that my stuttering was more complex than vocal cord locking. I still had lots of tension in my mouth and this was a component of my stuttering that I wasn’t as aware of. The side effects of Pagoclone are relatively mild. Deceptively mild. But I was finding that after being on the medication for a while (in the open label phase for longer than 6 months using the higher dose two times a day) I just did not feel like myself. And I felt mildly depressed, which is not my usual state. So I stopped taking it. Although they say that stopping the medication has no adverse effects, I had severe insomnia for 1 week after stopping. And now I feel like my own self again. And no longer depressed. I think if the effect of Pagoclone on my stuttering had been stronger, say a 50% or more reduction, I would not have stopped.

[Shueb]

Hey,
I'm new to this forum.

A while ago I saw some one put up a post by Dr Zahir Ali explaining how he used various drugs to cure his speech. Does anyone know his contact details or can they give me any information about him

Thanks.