Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Anxiety Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to generalized anxiety, anxiety and eating, anxiety and sleeping, mood swings, and phobias.
Anxiety meds
by Thrashley, Apr 26, 2007 12:00AM
I have been diagnosed with anxiety by more than one doctor. I have had prescriptions for Xanax in the past. Now, I cannot find a doctor who will give them to me. I know all about people abusing them, etc. That is not why I need them. They work for my panic attacks. They work fast and they calm me down. I take them as needed. My question is should I go to a regular medical doctor or a pyschiatrist? Any advice would help! Thanks!
Post Comment
If you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), or infrequent panic attacks (a few per week), a PRN drug such as Xanax would be a good choice. You can take this drug "as needed", but shouldn't take it every day.
If you suffer from recurring panic attacks often (Panic Disorder), a longer acting drug such as Klonopin is more useful long term. Klonopin, unlike Xanax, may be taken every day, twice daily.
At any rate, I would recomend seeing an older Psychiatrist who is well versed with the anxiety disorders, and who would be willing (based on their findings), to prescribe the drug you need, and in the amount you need to supress your symptoms.
The "quality of life" needs to be factored in. If Xanax gives you a better quality of life, it should not be withheld.
Past alcohol abuse is not an excuse to withhold valuable therapy, IMHO. Many people have abused alcohol in an attempt to mask their anxiety disorders. Most of those people will continue to abuse alcohol without treatment of the underlying anxiety disorder. Cessation of alcohol is important, however, once Xanax (or Klonopin) therapy is initiated.
If you are displeased with your current Psychiatrist, you should seek out a second opinion. Surely, there is more than one shrink in your area. If your current Psychiatrist refused Xanax, what was his/her alternative treatment method for you?
-Ryan
I have infrequent panic attacks. It scares the **** out of me. My heart feels like it will beat right out of my chest. It skips beats and stuff. It feels all jumpy. That makes everything else worse. I break out into a cold sweat, face will flush and my back will spasm and I shake. I hate it.
I have been on anti depressants for many years. They also diagnosed me with clinical depression. My current psych who wont give me the xanax gave me Risperdal. I am not psychotic. I am a nervous wreck. She switched my beloved Zoloft to Lexapro. I didnt like the Lexapro, so I went back to Zoloft. I take 200 mg a day. I cannot be without it. I have tried every anti depressant they make, Zoloft works best for me, but it does nothing for panic attacks.
The reason why the doctor gave you Risperdal is because alot of anxiety disorders carry psychotic-related features (paranoia, etc...) I had a doctor prescribe me both Abilify (for Schizophrenia) and Depekote (or Paranoia, Depression). Neither of those worked for me. Here is what I would suggest...
Make an appointment with your psychiatrist. Tell him that you have been previously diagnosed with GAD and have been taking Xanax for your anxiety. Let him/her know that your are actively seeking treatment for your anxiety and are willing to go to therapy. Whatever you do, do not mention that your anxiety has increased since you have been without Xanax. Because Xanax is addictive alot of Psychiatrists and Pain Management Specialists will conclude that your lack of Xanax is the CAUSE of your anxiety.
In any event, you may want to try Ativan (lorazepam .5 or 1MG tab). They work pretty well in combination with a good anti-anxiety/depressant medication like Well-Butrin (bupoprion). Let me know if you have any more questions, or need help! ***@****
thanks,
jason
Depakote, Depakene, Carbamazapine, Diphenylhydantoin - are epilepsy drugs. Some are used off-label for bi-polar disorder. NONE of them are effective in anxiety states. Like the atypicals, the risk of serious adverse effects is great (in the case of these drugs, hematologic disorders).
Off-label use of these drugs is common, but they have absolutely no proven efficacy in true anxiety states. In the vast majority of cases, they will *increase* anxiety.
The same can be said for the SSRI class of drugs. Their original target was depression. Lately, they have been advertised for anxiety/panic disorders, pushed by their manufacturers upon doctors. For the anxiety sufferer, these drugs are largely worthless.
There are only three classes of drugs that have long proved their efficacy in anxiety states. Those three are the Benzodiazepines, the Tricyclics, and the Carbamates. Two other classes that were commonly used are now banned.
Benzodiazepines:
-Alprazolam (Xanax, Niravam), PRN
-Alprazolam (Xanax-XR), Maintenance of GAD
-Chlordiazepoxide HCL (Librium, Libritabs), Maintenance
-Clorazepate Dipotassium (Tranxene, Tranxene SR), PRN
-Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril), Maintenance
-Diazepam (Valium), Maintenance
-Lorazepam (Ativan), PRN
-Oxazepam (Serax), PRN
Tricyclics:
-Amitriptyline (Elavil)
-Nortriptyline
-Doxepin (Sinequan)
Carbamates:
-Meprobamate (Miltown, Equanil, Meprotabs, Meprospan)
"Infrequent" panic attacks is the key word here. The best treatment for infrequent attacks is a Benzodiazepine with a fast onset of action, and a short half-life. Niravam or Xanax is the best.
ATIVAN (Lorazepam), once widely prescribed in the late 70's through the 80's, is now falling out of favor, largely replaced by Alprazolam. Alprazolam has two benefits over Lorazepam. (1) Shorter half-life, and (2) Rapid onset of action. It does not accumulate in your system, making it the ideal PRN drug.
Ativan.....has no specific effect on panic.
-Ryan