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brain tumor and anxiety
I have been having panic attacks fo about 6 months. I recently (1 1/2 months ago) had a brain tumor removed and am wondering if it is possible the location of the tumor may have triggered the attacks. I have not had an attack since the surgery but still have constant fear and anxiety that I will have another.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello.
You come to know you are addicted when you do not feel well on missing some doses. Some people can tolerate missing a week's dose, but then there are some who can not tolerate missing a single dose. The dose also depends on your physical make up.
It is true that there are other issues more important than xanax addiction. It is not necessary that you will develop addiction. But while you are going along with other treatments, please be careful with it. There are some other medicines which are good for panic (like paroxetine). But as is justly recommended by LifesAHeadache, cognitive behavioral therapy will help a lot.
Regards
You come to know you are addicted when you do not feel well on missing some doses. Some people can tolerate missing a week's dose, but then there are some who can not tolerate missing a single dose. The dose also depends on your physical make up.
It is true that there are other issues more important than xanax addiction. It is not necessary that you will develop addiction. But while you are going along with other treatments, please be careful with it. There are some other medicines which are good for panic (like paroxetine). But as is justly recommended by LifesAHeadache, cognitive behavioral therapy will help a lot.
Regards
Thank you very much for your two cents. Believe it or not that was one of the most encouraging things I've heard so far. I am going to see a cognitive behavioral therapist on Monday and am now looking forward to it even more. Thank you very much and God bless.
With all due respect, this is no time to worry about addiction to xanax.
If this patient has panic attacks then xanax as prescribed by a physician is certainly warranted. And 1.5 mg is not a huge daily dose. Xanax controls the anxiety and allows the patient to lead a productive life then isn't that better than having he/she worry about everything, thereby increasing the anxiety leading to further deterioration. Additionally, there is a current issue with headache also causing anxiety.
Xanax is prescribed literally for years for patients with panic with no true physiological addiction issue. Some patients may experience a psychological addiction but that can happen to any substance. Xanax does not cause addiction like a narcotic and if the patient is experience panic attacks then they may NEED medication for some time. I suggest Jason, that you also undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy in hopes of identifying the anxieity causing factors, elimating those, and then try to lower any xanax dosage.
Jason, you have undergone a lot, and anytime you have a life changing event, like the last day of rehab - you may see panic starting. Its OK. Frankly, you may also be experiencing some (PTSD) post tramatic stress disorder as well. It is going to take time to get over all of this. And please give yourself permission to take it slow, take your meds and over time things will get better.
Anytime there is trauma to the head, like brain surgery - you can have headaches for up to a year. Also, brain chemicals are not fully understood and for your headaches/panic (they can be correlated in some circumstances) it may be trial and error with the neurologist/psychiatrist. I know you have heard this before but start a headache diary and include any raises in anxiety and under what circumstances. For example, when you cross a bridge, get in a crowded elevator, or whatever starts it. There are some great thought practicing excercises that can help greatly too. I am not a doctor, but I have a lot of personal and professional experience in this area, just take it slow. Like I said this is just my two cents.
If this patient has panic attacks then xanax as prescribed by a physician is certainly warranted. And 1.5 mg is not a huge daily dose. Xanax controls the anxiety and allows the patient to lead a productive life then isn't that better than having he/she worry about everything, thereby increasing the anxiety leading to further deterioration. Additionally, there is a current issue with headache also causing anxiety.
Xanax is prescribed literally for years for patients with panic with no true physiological addiction issue. Some patients may experience a psychological addiction but that can happen to any substance. Xanax does not cause addiction like a narcotic and if the patient is experience panic attacks then they may NEED medication for some time. I suggest Jason, that you also undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy in hopes of identifying the anxieity causing factors, elimating those, and then try to lower any xanax dosage.
Jason, you have undergone a lot, and anytime you have a life changing event, like the last day of rehab - you may see panic starting. Its OK. Frankly, you may also be experiencing some (PTSD) post tramatic stress disorder as well. It is going to take time to get over all of this. And please give yourself permission to take it slow, take your meds and over time things will get better.
Anytime there is trauma to the head, like brain surgery - you can have headaches for up to a year. Also, brain chemicals are not fully understood and for your headaches/panic (they can be correlated in some circumstances) it may be trial and error with the neurologist/psychiatrist. I know you have heard this before but start a headache diary and include any raises in anxiety and under what circumstances. For example, when you cross a bridge, get in a crowded elevator, or whatever starts it. There are some great thought practicing excercises that can help greatly too. I am not a doctor, but I have a lot of personal and professional experience in this area, just take it slow. Like I said this is just my two cents.
I certainly am thankful that the tumor is gone. I did have headaches before the surgery, that is the reason they did the ct scan that found the tumor. My neuro oncologist thought the headaches and the panic attacks might be caused by the tumor. I guess I'm just a little down because I was working before the surgery, and now I can't (because of the anxiety) not to mention I missed the whole holiday season with my son (I had surgery on Dec 12) and thought that the surgery would get me back to normal. Oh well, I'll just keep pressing on. By the way, how do you know whether you are addicted to a drug that you are taking everyday and are told not to stop suddenly? Thanks again for your time.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello.
It is good to know that your anxiety is reduced now. The prognosis seems good.
Why do you think that your situation is worse than before surgery ? You have got rid or a brain tumor. Did you have headaches earlier ?
You can continue xanax, but please keep in mind the addiction potential.
Regards
It is good to know that your anxiety is reduced now. The prognosis seems good.
Why do you think that your situation is worse than before surgery ? You have got rid or a brain tumor. Did you have headaches earlier ?
You can continue xanax, but please keep in mind the addiction potential.
Regards
I am currently on 1.5 mg of xanax per day. It helps some but I have been able to return to work. My psychiatrist is suggesting I take Lyrica, but I am waiting for my neurologist to say it is ok. For the week after surgery and the 2 weeks in rehab I had very little anxiety and no fear of panic attacks. The anxiety only returned on the last day of rehab. My headaches have returned also. It is very frustrating to have gone through brain surgery and come out worse than before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi.
The location of your tumor may not be related to the panic attacks. But there is still a possibility of a chemical base.
It is equally possible that the panic attacks are independent of the tumor. It is usual to have a fear of an impending panic attack . Have you been on any anti-panic medication ?
Regards
The location of your tumor may not be related to the panic attacks. But there is still a possibility of a chemical base.
It is equally possible that the panic attacks are independent of the tumor. It is usual to have a fear of an impending panic attack . Have you been on any anti-panic medication ?
Regards
The tumor was a low grade glioma, and wa located in the right paramedian parietal lobe.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi.
Can you please mention what type of tumor it was ? Some tumors secrete certain chemicals which may cause anxiety and panic attacks.
Some studies have shown the association of temporal lobe tumors and panic.
Regards
Can you please mention what type of tumor it was ? Some tumors secrete certain chemicals which may cause anxiety and panic attacks.
Some studies have shown the association of temporal lobe tumors and panic.
Regards
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