i took a pill/need some advice

most of you do not know this, but for the past couple months i think i have had anxiety attacks. ill wake up sometimes in the middle of the night feeling like there is a weight on my chest and can't breath. this happens sometimes lately when im in a store crowded by people, i feel panicky and can't breath. i have made an appointment with my doctor to see if this is anxiety as i have never experienced this before. yesterday at work i took a dizapam 5mg, and within 15 minutes, i could breath and it went away. they are my mom's and she takes them, but rarely. she had just filled her script after not taking any for months, she rarely uses them. my question is do i tell my doctor i am an addict and are these pills addictive. as most of you know, ive never take pills and i never want to start. i just need to find out if this is actually anxiety.

[confused456]

Giz, do what you need to, get to the Dr. Get it checked out. You are awesome and I am happy you are here and being honest!!! Hope the Dr. helps you!!! Much love.

[GoingToMakeIt]

Just hit your head with a 4 iron. Anxiety goes away. (It may cause headaches) LOL

Going to the Dr may be a good idea. Have you looked into amino acids? The book End your addiction now has formulations for different types of mood problems.

[vicluvr28]

I used to have a similiar problem.  My doc prescribed me clonopin and it worked wonders for my panic attacks.  I never felt any dependency for them, I would only take them when I got that tightness/shortness of breath. I think a bottle of 30 lasted me about 3 months!   3 years later I became hooked on vics though.  Its strange what the mind and body end up craving I guess.  I think that diazepan is addictive so I'd be especially careful and discuss it with your doc.  Best of luck, I know it is the worst feeling in the world (next to w/d's)!

[Jacqui805]

Listen man, I can so relate to this.  I have been wrestling with this ever since detoxing.  I don't know if you remember this, but it is not uncommon for someone coming off of drugs to have "severe pervasive anxiety" for "up to 6 months".  Since you weren't that way before, it may be what's going on.  Also though, you're now trying to live life without the **** and accordingly, have to deal with all of life without it, and you have to relearn coping skills.  So that could be a component too.  I'm glad you're going to see your doctor about this.  Anxiety is so underrated for suffering.  It is absolutely agonizing and makes you feel so helpless and alone.

You've got my support buddy,

Jacqui

[cocobeanlisa]

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE DIAZEPAM,

My husband wad on Norcos and he stopped and the doctor gave him diazepams and before he knew it he was addicted to them 10 times worse than th norco..Please check out a web site call BENZOISLAND, there you will see how many people this affects.

Alot of people suffer from anxiety when getting of hydrocodone and such, but it's best to stick to the natural things (valerian root, melatonin) (sorry I can't spell them)

Please check out that web site, I think it will stop you from taking another pill...

cocobean lisa  PS CONGRATES ON THE MONTHS

[swtbreezie]

I just sent you something that might help in email.  Hugzzzzzzzzzz
swtbreezie

[kris123]

I take dizapam too but my problem and i am ashamed to say i take just about all of them in one - two days - they make me feel so much better - i didn't want to say anything but feel like you and everyone can understand - i feel like a loser - i get the same mcg as you and ten at a time - when one wears off i take another one - i have anxiety attacks too - i think it is anxiety - i am going to dr next week and telling him what I have been doing with the pills - tell you dr - please every one don't think bad of me - i have pill problem off and on for two years since i stopped coke - giz the best thing talk to dr maybe he can give you something else that is not instant and takes a few weeks to take effect - this is what I did and it worked so much better besides the dizapam

[gizzy32]

you know i could never think bad of you. you can't keep doing this and talk to your doctor. i am very weary of pills cause i am an addict and it sounds like dizapam are quite addictive. i will talk to my doctor and be honest.
i never knew you took these, but im glad you got it out in the open.

[Jacqui805]

I don't know if it helps or not, it usually does me, to know I'm not the only one, and I just want you both to know, I really struggle with this.  At night, for me, is absolutely the worst.  When I cannot keep my mind busy, it's right there.  At night, when all the lights are out, t.v. is off, I've even been feeling claustrophobic.  I was not like this before, although I have experienced severe anxiety during test taking.  My gut is telling me, at least about me, that this will dissipate after a while, but it certainly doesn't make it easy to deal with in the mean time....especially because I sort of try to intellectualize or reason certain things through.  I'll find myself saying there's no reason to feel like this, make it be gone, but it does not leave.  Then you wind up beating yourself up over not being able to conquer it.  I have to say though that since I started talking about it, and realizing it for what it is, does help somewhat.  When it's on, I think to myself that I got through the last night, and it will go away and all I have to do is keep soldiering through it until then.  I don't feel so helpless over it, as I've managed to take some control back.

[newmanagment]

Giz- i had this same problem after i was shot. couldnt go in public without it happening, they had prescribed me klonopin, i threw em away after 2 weeks, cuz i could hear em calling me from the med cabinet. as coke addicts , we have to be very carefull about our meds too. i say tell your doctor about your addiction. my doc knows, and she is very carefull about what she gives me, and there are non addictive alternatives! sux bro, i feel for ya! mine did go away with time. still dont like crowds, n dont trust ne one, oh but then again i never really trusted ne one ne way LOL. for real, i think these are probably your bodys way of getttin you to use. cokes mentall addiction is very powerfull, as you know. and it will manifest itself in different ways. come clean with doc, and let me know how this one pans out  MUCH LOVE BRO.....

[Jacqui805]

Newmanagement brings up a good point.  Post traumatic stress is a real b****.  I don't know how I could forget having gone through an el derailment back in '89.  I was freaked about everything and was put on Xanax for a bit.  Didn't work though, but it took a few years to go away on it's own.

It's possible that this whole experience has left you feeling traumatized.  Being as detailed as you can about your situation will be so important for your doc. to help the best he/she can.  

Hang in there.  

[Flutterby111]

I can relate so much...and another moment of honesty.  I've taken several xanax since getting off percs.  But, being honest, I mean 3 in total....but I've suffered entire days of anxiety.  pits in my stomach that cause me to lose my appetite.  I bought some relaxation cd's and anxiety cd's, that once I have the TIME, I plan on utilizing, I'll definately let you know if they help...GTMI recommended the aminos....I'm going to check out the med help health pages on that too.....just need to MAKE the time...  i feel you Dirk....really.  I was told to try breathing exercises or cold water on the face. But, I have a Xanax in my purse, my last one it's been there for over a week.  I've been in anxiety panic mode all day!  I don't how you feel Giz, but my brain says chill, but my stomach, and insides say spaz.....

[gizzy32]

im not traumatized at all, i feel better than i have in years, this just happened the past couple months out of nowhere mostly at night. i just didn't know they appear out of nowhere, im not stressed or anything, so i find it strange this is happening. i have been dreaming about coke a lot which scares me. i just hope my doctor knows what this really is

[gizzy32]

dirk, lmao, is that my new nickname, haha. i earned it, lmfao. one question i heard that numbness in the legs and feet were common for anxiety, is this true, i get that all the time now.

[confused456]

Stop dreaming!! Just kidding. Its Spring fever!!

[eagle1950]

Yeah - you did the right thing....I also had severe anxiety/panic attacks with heart palpitations at about 10-20 days post heavy hydro use. One of the benzo's is usually prescribed (ativan, lorazepam, diazepam, etc) for short term. Use as directed and you wont have a problem with the meds....relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, and distraction therapy can work. The Doc should be able to guide you through this. It doesnt last forever either - unless perhaps you had them before you started using (dates dont go back that far!!!) and I dont feel that is your case.

[cathy5841]

giz, just go to the dr already..get it check out and absolutely tell him about your addiction to coke.  to get the best help and advice you have to be HONEST
cathy

[Jacqui805]

I think, it's all from withdrawl (withdrawal).  I really do.  I know that's what my gut tells me, and since it's all new for you, I think so for you too.  Especially when you say the whole getting worse at night thing.  It's the same way for me.  I remember several weeks back, that it was the same only more intense, which tells me it's going, albeit slowly.

Also, that you otherwise feel great, tells me it's w/d related.  I feel the same way, like, I have anxiety s/s but only in my physiologically.  In other words, I don't have any feelings associated with it, and no feeling of any worry or anything in my head, it's just an inability to sleep or sleep well, restlessness, rapid heart beat, fluttery feeling in the chest, claustrophic kinda feeling.  May sound weird, but other than that, I'm peachy, haven't been this happy in a long time.  Just knowing that it will go, may help.....and yes, the numbness is true.  It can happen in your face and hands too.

[Chi_Chi_Lover]

Please don't take the valium. You have made it this far without it. Any of these Benzos are so addictive even after a few days to weeks on them. If you were in the first stages of WDs maybe but you have made it this far. Don't Please. I used a Benzo during the first 6 months of getting off pills. All it did was set me back and take me longer to heal. I have really be doing research on these meds since I suffer so with insomnia. They are bad news even for short term.

[dove3053]

Your best bet is to see your Dr. Tell him or her the truth---I'm sure they have heard similar stories before.

Good Luck My Friend,

Dove

[gizzy32]

im glad i posted, i know i have to be careful now, but did not realize how addictive these things can be. thanks for the advice guys. panic attacks are scary especially when it's all knew to me. i am seeing my doctor next week.

[vicluvr28]

I saw a therapist for my anxiety.  She recommended deep breathing techniques (in for 10 seconds, out for 10 seconds) and a yoga technique where you relax all the muscles in your body, starting with your head and working down to your toes.  Another thing she taught me, (which sounds weird but helped), is to visualize a stop sign and just focus all of your attention on that for as long as you can.  Weird right?  If I can think of any more I'll let you know!

[rosebud66]

cut out all caffiene as well as any artificial sugar substitutes.  the caffiene will halp a ton especially at night.  try it for one day and you will see the difference.  

[kris123]

I have tried to relax from head to toe but seems to work up to my waist i know crazy right!!  I can refill my med but i haven't for fear i will take all ten again in one to two days - i go to dr next week and will ask him to put me on somthing else or suggest something i can do - just like everyone else i battled many addictions in my life and even when i stopped one another one creeped up on me -

[enemy48]

Hi Gizzy,

Nice to hear from you again.  

Seems like there are a lot of mixed feelings here about you taking pills for anxiety.  I don't remember the name, but years ago there was an anti-anxiety pill that I was prescribed that wasn't valium, xanix, or ativan.  The problem was that it knocked me out for hours, like a tranquilizer.  That wouldn't be bad for during the night.  And who would want to get addicted to that during the day?  

Ask your doc.  I wouldn't tell him about your addiction.  

[FLaddict]

L-theanine is a natural anti anxiety option. Worked for my panic attacks.

Also taurine and l-glutamine can also help your mind relax

[Lotsatrout]

I had 1 panic attack in my life and it was after I quit taking oxycodone.  I was about 3-4 days into it when it happened.  My wife and I were sleeping out in the backyard in a new tent we bought for hiking.  We thought it would be "fun" to try it out if you know what I mean.... hee....heee....he.....  Anyway, I woke up about 2:00 in the morning with a feeling I've never felt.  For some reason I was terrified and felt like I was being crushed or something.  Not physically but mentally.   I was just in my tight whites and I had to get out of that tent NOW.  So I shot out of the tent and went for a 1/4 mile walk in my underware....  Fortunately we don't have many neighbors but it absolutely freaked me out.  

Trout

[bandnmom]

I wish i had words of wisdom to hand you like you have for me so many times but all i can say is I would go to the doctor and be honest with him. If Dizapam isn't the right choice maybe he could give you something that will suit you better. Hope that helps!

[bandnmom]

LMAO! I could picture it now..I look out my window and see you walking by my house in just your tighty whiteys! You made me smile today which i totally was in need of!

[bmc1976]

I think I saw a picture of that on the net.....should I post it on here?!!!

[opi]

gizz......hey man...i have anxiety attacks too...only when i'm awake though(23 hrs a day)
see your doc,,,,i would also recomend calling that chick,,,,,,,a lil bit-o-that might help.
hang in there biff

[MizDemeanor]

Hey Gizzy,
I missed this post, sorry on the late comment.
Just wanted to tell you Ive had anxiety disorder for over 10 years. I know what anxiety attack feels like and its worse than pain to me! Awful, ugh, bad, grrrr...see? LOL
I must be one of the few peeps in the world who can take xanax and not get addicted or even high from them?!! I've taken low dosage .5 mg x 2 a day as needed, and except for during my w/d from oxys, I never took more than prescribed, NOR have I ever gotten a "high" from them. I think if I took more than I am supposed to I would just fall asleep, LOL. However, maybe I just dont do well with downs, I remember taking a Qualude "back in the day", everyone just HAD to have one for a party, and ROFL about 30 mins after I took mine, I went into my friends bedroom and slept for like 12 hours, totally missed the whole party and a BAND was there, ROFL. (Gawd Im lucky Im not daid!) Never took those again, LOL.
I did however get terribly HOOKED on vicodin and percocet (either, or, whatever I could talk the dr out of). So, I guess I'm an odd addict huh? SHEESH. LOL
For real, Giz, please go to the Dr and PLEASE tell him you are an addict. My ex who shared your doc didnt do that when he had pain and taking pain pills put him back on the road to the CokeDemon. You have come TOO FAR to go back. Tell the doctor, and get some help with the anxiety. It sucks man, I feel you!
Peace~

[marcatj]

giz... do what you need to do.

only people who have had anxiety attacks can really understand just how bad it is.  i would suggest talk therapy (psychotherapy) before you go on to an anti-anxiety drug... often times, there's a reason (emotional/psychological) that you are having the panic attacks.

try that... and then, if your doc feels you need something, then you do.  but it's better not to self-medicate.  there are other drugs out there - if that's what it takes - that are less addictive for anxiety.

good luck buddy...