anyone have insight on anti-anxiety medicine

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Epiphany
my greatest fear is that i will become dependent on it. I talked to a couple of friends who have taken medication and they say it is hard to come off of. I don't know, the drug is just not a natural thing. Anyone recommend some relaxation tips to use possibly to help calm down my anxieties.

But at this point i am seriously considering taking medication =(

Benzos are only addictive if you are on high dosages or abuse them. Coming off them is a bitch though.

 

[Epiphany]

"Coming off them is a bitch though. "

that is my fear. could you give me an indepth opinion on your experience?

 

[Epiphany]

after reading and some discussion, i think meds =( are the way to go.

thank you for those who gave input.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Epiphany
"Coming off them is a bitch though. "

that is my fear. could you give me an indepth opinion on your experience?

Indepth? Only a few words are necessary. Most incredibly painful mental and physical week of my life.

 

[Epiphany]

But was it worth it? you feel better now then you did before meds?

 

[chasem]

you could always eat some xanax. but it makes you sleep late the next day until you get a toleraence to it.

 

[Epiphany]

up because of the anxiety.. blah. I guess I've come to the point where I finally need some help in dealing with this. Never thought I'd be one to go on medication.

 

[upsciLLion]

I didn't think I would either. I'm glad I tried it, though. Even if it was only for a little while.

 

[psydancerqt]

how long has this been a problem? emotional disorders come and go throughout life.

 

[falconx80]

do u talk to a psychiatrist?

 

[Armitage]

First, let me start off saying you should talk to your doctor on this rather then rely on forum advice.
That said ... in reading up some more on the Xanax, the addiction risk appears to be primarily for higher doses (>= 4mg/day) used regularly, such as for phobias and chronic anxiety disorders.

In my own experience, I was prescribed 0.5mg tablets, up to twice a day as needed. Early on I was regularly taking 1 a day, mostly so I could get some sleep ... had prescription sleep meds also, but don't trust those at all and rarely use ... plus had some amnesia problems with one of em. I would occasionally take 2 a day on really bad days ... I had no problem working, driving etc. with them, but some people apparently get very sleepy from Xanax. I used it to help me sleep, but it doesn't really make me sleepy ... just helps me relax ... stop my brain from going a mile a minute worrying about my situation, etc.

As others have said, I don't like taking medications, and only tried this because the anxiety levels I was experiencing were approaching being debilitating, and interfering with my work.

Now, I generally take maybe 2 to 3 a week ... even less lately probably. Haven't had any craving or withdrawal type symptoms. I find it also helps me with social anxiety which I've always had problems with.

Hope this helps

edit: note that my prescription was for an immediate, relatively short term problem. Not a chronic, ongoing issue

 

[Tinkerhell]

I had horrible anxiety and panic attacks. I'm on Paxil CR and its helped me so much. I also take Trazodone at night to help me sleep. I tired tons of meds: Effexor XR, Zyprexa, Lexapro, Nortriptylin, Xanax(evil!), and Remeron. Those all had side effects for me, but Paxil CR didn't. If you end up going for something like Xanax, please dont get Xanax, its horrible, go with something that has a longer half-life like Klonopin or Valium. If talking to someone or natural remedies dont help, I would suggest Paxil CR. Good luck!

 

[Tinkerhell]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Xanax. Man, that shyte will fix about ANY problem.

They are too addictive, don't take them. They have a short half-life and makes you want to take a million a day. Something like Klonopin or Valium is better. But i recommend something more like Paxil CR

 

[Tinkerhell]

Originally posted by: Epiphany
But was it worth it? you feel better now then you did before meds?

I feel so much better. I dont know where I'd be right now if I hadn't gone on Paxil CR. I never wanted to be on medicatin but it got to the point where i had no choice. And now i have no regrets about going on Paxil CR

 

[spaceman]

Kolonopin work for me.
sometimes ill take one per day,sometimes half...sometimes none at all.
for myself, knowing i have them takes away fear of having an anxiety attack.

 

[iliopsoas]

coming from a physician, my only advice is to go see your doctor. If anxiety is interfering with your life, do something about it. Taking medications suck, but I think it may help you.

Anxiety is a very common problem. As I said previously, I'm not too keen on benzodiazepenes. They work great for short-term, burst therapy but for chronic problems, I prefer SSRIs.

 

[falconx80]

Tinkerhell - did u see your psychitrist? if so, did he suggest the medine or did you? Do u think you are addicted to paxil CR?


thx

 

[falconx80]

Tinkerhell - did u see your psychitrist? if so, did he suggest the medine or did you? Do u think you are addicted to paxil CR?


thx

 

[BooGiMaN]

what does an anxiety or panic attack feel like?
is it something that comes and goes or can you feel it the whole day long?
does it have physical symptoms?

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: BooGiMaN
what does an anxiety or panic attack feel like?
is it something that comes and goes or can you feel it the whole day long?
does it have physical symptoms?

When I experienced a panic attack it felt as if I was going to die. My brain just kept saying and feeling like I was going to die, right then and there.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: BooGiMaN
what does an anxiety or panic attack feel like?
is it something that comes and goes or can you feel it the whole day long?
does it have physical symptoms?

Intense feeling of anxiety, crushing feeling in your chest, sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, weakness

 

[iliopsoas]

Originally posted by: BooGiMaN
what does an anxiety or panic attack feel like?
is it something that comes and goes or can you feel it the whole day long?
does it have physical symptoms?

dizziness, weakness, palpitations, sweaty palms, feelings of impending doom

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Epiphany
But was it worth it? you feel better now then you did before meds?

For me, the answer is "yes." There's no way I would have been able to make it without a "crutch." There were times when the anxiety and panic were so bad, I'd pay $1,000 to make them stop. Now, that calmness has beed added back to my life, I can focus on enjoying it.

 

[vital]

i tried paxil and the side effects sux... it's known to make it very diifficult for a person to orgasm during sex.
does paxil CR have this side effect? i

 

[Tinkerhell]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: BooGiMaN
what does an anxiety or panic attack feel like?
is it something that comes and goes or can you feel it the whole day long?
does it have physical symptoms?

dizziness, weakness, palpitations, sweaty palms, feelings of impending doom

All those and tingling in arms and legs and other areas of the body, feeling like your dying, feeling like theres something wrong with you, weird electric shock feelings up and down leg, arms, back, feelings of coldness in weird parts of the body, feeling like you cant breath, feeling like your far away and disconnected from the world. When my anxiety and panic was real bad I would feel it all day. There is definetly physical symptoms like the ones i mentioned, its different for each person. it sucks and its something i never want to feel again.