For those fighting anxiety...

[GA Guy]

My doc prescribed Atarax for my anxiety. It's generic name is hydroxyzine. It's not addicting (it's an antihistamine not a benzo). It worked for me..made me drowsy, too. I had never heard of it until he prescribed it. It takes away those jitters. It also helped with sleep.

[AK47_991]

Oh **** I know that's right. I was on valium for awhile and stopped suddenly due to my doctor firing me when he found out I was abusing my pain meds. I had a couple seizures along with onset psychosis. Had to go into the hospital for a week just to get back to normal. Withdrawls are a scary thing to go through.

[vicki595]

You're right Merri. Valium is a benzodiazepine with severe withdrawal symptoms. It must always be tapered to avoid seizures and psychosis.

[Merri123]

I'm not sure you are correct about valium. Several here had gotten off of it. I may be wrong but I think it does have withdrawals and you should taper when quitting.

[marymary1234]

I took Xanax years ago for panic attacks.   I found out that it has a short half life and can cause withdrawals.  That is what I went through.  Found another doctor and he prescribed me valium which is better No withdrawals. I hate Xanax.  If you can get off this and go to valium I would recommend.  All you have to do is stop the Xanax and start the valium.

[chrysmum]

Thanks, Gnarly. Actually my computer is slow.  I have been on Xanax for 20 years until recently when my M.D. decided I should discontinue.  Well, he is giving me 2mgs. of xanaxXR p/day and 50 mgs. visteral every 4 hours to taper.  This is hell and the visteral seems to make my anxiety worse.  Can't sleep, worrying about things that don't matter, etc.  Has anyone else reacted like this to visteral?

[chrysmum]

Thanks, Gnarly. Actually my computer is slow.  I have been on Xanax for 20 years until recently when my M.D. decided I should discontinue.  Well, he is giving me 2mgs. of xanaxXR p/day and 50 mgs. visteral every 4 hours to taper.  This is hell and the visteral seems to make my anxiety worse.  Can't sleep, worrying about things that don't matter, etc.  Has anyone else reacted like this to visteral?

[gnarly_1]

BTW welcome back GA Guy......Gnarly

[gnarly_1]

its alive but a little slow at the moment post your question and someone will come along and answer it give it a couple of hours.............Gnarly

[chrysmum]

is this forum still active? I,d like to discuss visteral as well as other meds.  Thanks, Chrys

[tzt2lady]

Never heard of it.   Im just taking my own prescription for now................time.   Time to let my body and mind heal from the abuse of opiates.   When I detoxed in the 80's I remember feeling this way and it all evened out eventually.   We live in a "want it now" society and its normal to want relief "now".   It just doesnt always happen that way naturally.   Of course if you were anxious before the opiate abuse, or have a history of it, maybe its different.   Just speaking from personal experience.

[GA Guy]

Yes! It can make you dizzy. That's why I took half my dosages and ramped it up to the suggested dosage.

[beentrying2quit]

Be careful with this drug.  I took Atarax for my withdrawal from Fentanyl and it made me VERY dizzy.  While it did help me sleep..I would wake up from a deep sleep so dizzy I almost fell off the bed.

[GA Guy]

I'm sorry I worded what I said wrong to make it sound like I was correcting you. I just meant that benadryl is a different drug than vistaril. You and your doc are right...they are both antihistamines and very similar. By the way..just for those wanting to know..Benadryl is diphenhydramine HCL. Vistaril and Atarax are hydroxyzine HCL.

[bettie1976]

my doc told me that vistaril is like benadryl btw

[bettie1976]

ive had vistaril. knocks me out. its ok.

[GA Guy]

It's the same drug as Vistaril....different than benadryl...have you ever tried it?

[bettie1976]

im going to assume this is like vistaril or benadryl?

[Zillialee]

Does it have any other side effects or are they pretty much the same as an antihistamine and that's it?  Thanks for the post about it too, I will not take any antidepressants or benzo type meds and am always looking for things to help with anxiety so this is good info. : )

[road2recovery]

i have taken that before, and it has also helped me..
i forgot about it until you said something..
hope your day is going well
mine is going good---i went in to work, got a little upset because the girls that work for me had the salon a mess, but i didn't say anything ...Then went do some shopping, and will go back to work a little later...I have to say doing that did me some good, and i feel great..Clear headed!!
r2r