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Thread: question about anxiety meds

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    Default question about anxiety meds

    do i need to go to a psychiatrist first, or can my regular doctor prescribe me something? i really didnt want to take something, and i won't take anything like paxil. i went to a really horrible psychiatrist before who judged me openly for dancing and refused to give me anything other than paxil, which i refused to take. i dont want something to take every day, only when i feel that i need it.

    i want something more along the lines of xanax, but i have a history of addiction in my family, plus smaller short term problems myself, so that might be bad. i was thinking about trying ativan after reading latinarose's thread. what else is out there that is like that? i dont know much about this stuff but i know i need something because things have gone from bad to worse

    if i have to go to a psychiatrist, i will have to wait MONTHS to get in to one that is paid for by my insurance company. it took me 10-15 phone calls to find one before that i could get into in a month and a half, and that's just too long. soo.. can my regular doctor give me something, and is it likely that they will if i ask specifically for what i want?

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    Veteran Member Littlelo's Avatar
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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Your regular doctor *can* prescribe something, but some will insist you go to a psychiatrist (which isn't a bad idea, mine was a great help to me.)

    As to meds, BuSpar worked for me. Its a daily dose, intended to prevent rather than handle individual attacks. Its meant for anxiety, NOT depression. I didn't have any weird side-effects and it made life much much easier. If you're worried about taking a narcotic like Ativan, this might be something you should ask your doc about. My doctor prescribed BuSpar for everyday and Ativan for the really nasty attacks.

    Basicly, make sure the doc's giving you something for anxiety if that's what you're having trouble with. Before I went on BuSpar they put me on several different antidepressants which did NOTHING for my problem.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    i googled buspar, and the information i read said dont take it if you have liver problems. i have slight liver damage so im not sure about that.. it also said it can cause insomnia. definately not good for me. but i want a list of choices to discuss with a normal doctor or psychiatrist, whichever i end up going to, so i'll write that down to run past them. i know it would be helpful to see someone other than my reg doctor, but i cant wait that long for a prescription.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    It depends on your doctor. Some PCP will prescribe benzos, some will refer you to a shrink. If you ask for benzos, there is a very good chance you won't get them. It is likely to come to the doctor as drug seeking. Have you taken anything for anxiety before? Is it generalized anxiety or do you have panic attacks? Is there a reason you don't want to take something everyday?

    Edit: If you have had addiciton problems, even minor, these may not be the drugs for you.
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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    They cocktailed my Buspar insomnia problem with a Vistriol sedative at night to get me conked out. Works like a charm.

    Your physician can prescribe these things, but a therapist and psychiatrist are the best bet. If you can't afford on, you should try out like Access or Netcare or whatever free service they have in your area. Sometimes you have to be a little extreme to get their attention, but they can help once you have it. My medicine, social worker, psychiatrist and group meetings are all handled by them currently and, all though I feel like a major mooch, it's been and IMMENSE help in getting me on my feet and dealing with anxiety issues and etc.

    Calling a sucide hotline in your area--they can give you information about local programs that can help you immediatly. You can always pm me if you want more info or what not.

    I was finally weened off Paxil after a week long CSU stay---Don't go on it! If you are bipolar (manic depressive) then you may need to pair up your anxiety pills with a mood stabilizer to see an effect. I take Lexipro with a Lamictal mood stabilizer, Buspar with a Vistriol for the insomnia, and Ativan as needed for severe panic attacks. Good times!

    PS - thing that has worked best for me (I have anxiey disroder w/ agoraphobia) was long term counseling on handling stress, triggers, emotions, etc.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    i dont want to take something every day because i dont want to depend on it, become addicted, or be on it for a long period of time. ive had anxiety attacks for a few years now, but they used to be few and far between. recently, ive been dealing with a lot more stress and anxiety, and theyre getting both worse and more frequent. so i just want something i can take if i know i'll be going into a stressful situation, or i feel an attack coming on.

    is there anything i can do, then, if my doctor wont prescribe me something, without having to wait months to see a psychiatrist? i cant afford to pay out of pocket to go to one. and the last time i tried, like i said, it took me a ton of phone calls to find one that i only had to wait about a month and a half to get into. the rest were all a 2-3 month wait since theyre insurance based and it was a first time appointment (at least thats what i was told).

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Buspar, Lexipro, most daily anxiety medicines are not addictive.

    Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin can be, but they will not prescribe these for very long amounts of time.

    If you need immediate help with medication, you could be drastic and check yourself into a week long program. It's a little intense but it's a good way to get your medicines fine tuned while they check your progress thouroughly.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Quote Originally Posted by Helle View Post
    Your physician can prescribe these things, but a therapist and psychiatrist are the best bet. If you can't afford on, you should try out like Access or Netcare or whatever free service they have in your area. Sometimes you have to be a little extreme to get their attention, but they can help once you have it. My medicine, social worker, psychiatrist and group meetings are all handled by them currently and, all though I feel like a major mooch, it's been and IMMENSE help in getting me on my feet and dealing with anxiety issues and etc.
    can i get that even if i have insurance? my insurance issue is that i cant wait so long, ya know? i definately want to get to a therapist asap, just because i know i need help dealing with stuff.

    i know how addictive pills can be, and that worries me. this sounds silly and immature, but i only want to have a few on me at a time. the rest would stay at my parents house. that way my mom would know how many and how frequently i was taking them.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    The reasons you don't want to take a med every day, are the reasons I would stay away from benzos in your situation.

    Do you drink coffee? Cutting back or not ingesting caffeine may help. Have you tried things like meditation and regular exercise to help lower your stress levels? These may not be enough, you may still need meds, but it can help cut down on your anxiety.

    See what your doctor says, and try to formulate a treatment plan that addresses things besides meds. Be really honest about your history. Maybe you just need something to help get you through this particularly stressful time. Just be open minded about what your options are.
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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Yeah, you can go to a government sponsored program if you have insurance. It might get you through a little quicker, actually.

    When I stayed at CSU (a government sponsored short term nut hatch, basically) there were people there like me, who had no insurance or cash, and those who did but didn't know where to go for emergency help.

    If your anxiety level is effecting your life, you can go to the local Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Administraion in your area and they will immediatly have a short session sit down with you (they have walk in dates and times at many of these places so you may need to wait an hour or whatever). If they deem that you are in need of psychiatric help, most places will schedule you with a state-run psychiatrist. Mine got me into one in about a week.

    If you feel you are in dire need of help, you can call the Suicide Hotline for the local ADAMH (mental health services) number. if you tell them you are suicidal or going to harm yourself, they can take you in immediatly and begin a drug treatment program for you. You can usually leave the next day. This may seem a bit extreme, but it's they way to work the government system in your favor, if you feel your anxety is seriously impeding you.

    Either way you go, the state should set you up with a social worker, if they deem you applicable.

    I wouldn't worry about getting hooked on any anxiety meds or anti-depressants. You won't notice a direct change, let alone a 'high', from them anyway. Some of the benzos maybe. But you should be keeping in contact with a doctor or social worker who can keep you on the right track!

    Sorry these are so long or repeating themselves; I am scatterbrained.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    i dont drink soda or coffee. i drink redbull at work usually. so a few times a drink i have the equivalant of 1 or 2 cans.

    i definately just want something for the time being! nothing long term. i have nothing against people who do take long term meds, but for me, i just dont want to do that. if i dont HAVE to, i dont want to.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Your family physician or internist can prescribe those type of meds to you but he won't be as knowledgeable as a psychiatrist will. However, I rarely visit my shrink because insurance only pays 50% and he is expensive. I know what I need so I just get my family physician to write it for me. If you have a history of addiction I certainly would not recommend Xanax, it has the shortest half-life of all the benzos. Ativan has a longer half-life and will releive a panic attack and aid sleep. But if you need something on a daily basis it would be best to try something that is more suited for long-term usage. Buspar isn't hard to stop taking if it doesn't work for you. It didn't work for me but everyone is different so it might work well for you. Paxil and Effexor are geared towards helping patients with anxiety disorders and such. Cymbalta is new but I don't know if it's geared more towards depression or anxiety use.

    You know honestly, before resorting to meds I would try some therapy or meditation classes. Exercise is great for anxiety relief and so is meditation. I am not suggesting that you suffer but once you get started on meds it's not so easy to stop sometimes.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Quote Originally Posted by Helle View Post
    Sorry these are so long or repeating themselves; I am scatterbrained.
    dont be sorry! you guys are seriously helping.

    im afraid to tell them im suicidal because i did "try" once with a bottle of vodka and a bottle of tylenol. i only stayed in the hospital overnight, and i dont want to actually stay somewhere or go away.

    ack. i just want to feel better

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Quote Originally Posted by britt244 View Post
    i dont drink soda or coffee. i drink redbull at work usually. so a few times a drink i have the equivalant of 1 or 2 cans.

    i definately just want something for the time being! nothing long term. i have nothing against people who do take long term meds, but for me, i just dont want to do that. if i dont HAVE to, i dont want to.
    Quit all caffeine, caffeine can make anxiety worse.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    greenidlady, i dont want to take paxil. ive heard horrible horrible things about it and its just not gonna happen. haha. i dont want something long term, anyway, like i said. and i have tried therapy. i said i dont want to jump to meds, which is part of the reason i dont want to be on something long term. i plan to go to a different therapist, but i also know that that isnt always all it takes. therapy cant change brain chemicals, and sometimes medication is necessary.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Quote Originally Posted by britt244 View Post
    i dont drink soda or coffee. i drink redbull at work usually. so a few times a drink i have the equivalant of 1 or 2 cans.

    i definately just want something for the time being! nothing long term. i have nothing against people who do take long term meds, but for me, i just dont want to do that. if i dont HAVE to, i dont want to.
    I feel the same way. I hate taking meds long-term but I obviously have something out of balance which is why I do take something for it. Express to your doctor what you have expressed on here and see if there is anything he can do for you. I wish you well. You can pm me anytime if need be.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Quote Originally Posted by britt244 View Post
    im afraid to tell them im suicidal because i did "try" once with a bottle of vodka and a bottle of tylenol. i only stayed in the hospital overnight, and i dont want to actually stay somewhere or go away.

    ack. i just want to feel better
    If you are depressed and/or suicidal that's something you need to tell your doctor. If you get put on a hold, so be it. Don't wait to get treatment.

    Hold on I'm looking something up.
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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Baltimore County Crisis Response System (CRS) Mental health crisis hotline 410-931-2214
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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    Quote Originally Posted by Samba View Post
    If you are depressed and/or suicidal that's something you need to tell your doctor. If you get put on a hold, so be it. Don't wait to get treatment.
    no no, im not! not by any means! helle said i should say it to get them to get me in faster. just anxiety attacks.. thats all. thanks for the info, im sure that number can get me to a cheap and/or quick place to talk to someone who can prescribe something.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    oh I'm glad I misunderstood. Yeah don't get yourself on a three day hold for nothing. But, it is a mental health crisis line, and frequent panic attacks qualify.
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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    I used to get anxiety attacks all the time when I smoked pot. Havn't had one since I quit. Also, I used to stay up all night and not sleep, then try to drink caffeine to stay awake. That caused them too. I'm not saying you do either of the above, but they are potential antagonizers.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    There's nothing to say just because you're taking something daily for awhile that you're going to need to be on it forever. I was on BuSpar for a couple years with a very low dosage and when my attacks got really frequent and out of control I got the dosage raised and it was like a light-switch went on. The difference was astounding. Once I got used to not having attacks all the time I weaned myself off the meds and I've been able to deal with it ever since. I still keep my Ativan just in case, but it was the BuSpar that helped me throught the really rough patch. I still have occasional attacks, but we're talking every few months instead of several per week.

    Counseling would be a great idea if you want to learn to better deal with attacks and things that trigger them without relying on drugs. Drugs were helpful to me, but conseling made it "stick".

    I know there's something new now that works like BuSpar, but I can't remember the name. Maybe that one won't bother your liver.

    Oh, and as for insomnia, I was lucky enough not to have issues with that. My dosage was very low, so maybe that's why.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    My family doc prescribed me Ativan, tho as I understand it, Ativan is for occasional panic attacks, not to be taken daily.

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    Default Re: question about anxiety meds

    ^ yup, that's what i want! only something to take when i can feel it coming on.

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