I need help and advice...

[colleendawn813]

I just went to my county mental health services place, and they told me that I have anxiety and panic disorder with agoraphobia, and they cant help me because those are not serious illnesses. I guess my state is #49 in the union for funding for mental health services. in other words, im not crazy enough for them to help me. Ive been on ativan 1mg 3x a day until i could finally get an appt with these people and nnow they cant help me and im back to square one. Ecery psychiatrist in this stupid town is booked until august. I see a therapist today, but she cant do anything to help me with my meds situation. Do i go to a primary doctor, which i do not even have? Urgent care? and if i do go to urgent care, what do i tell them? that i need a different med? I want something that can hold my anxiety at bay longer than these big doses of ativan. What do i do? im so discouraged im about to just start drinking again, at least i wouldnt feel this horrible anxiety. Im doing everything in my power to get help and it feels like its pointless, like its just not out there for me. maybe if i was hearing flipping voices and chasing people around with a knife they would help me for pete's sake. HELP  i have to do SOMETHING about this today!

[lynn57]

I agree with you regarding the Klonopin.  I don't feel anything different from it.  It just makes the anxiety go away.

[micohe11]

Klonopin will help. It has been so much better for me than ativan or Xanax. Good luck

[colleendawn813]

you are so right about feeling better just having a plan! im optimistic and we will see what happens...thanks for the support~:)

[lynn57]

I tried many SSRI's including Lexapro.  I ended up with Celexa because it had the least side-effects(for me) and it didn't give me insomnia.  At first it made me a little fuzzy and definitely sleepy.  I still found it too stimulating to take at night and ended up taking it in the AM.  Most people do take it at night, but it's personal preference.  Give it at least two weeks before you make any decisions about quitting it.  It took about a month to really knock my anxiety down. I have vistaril(Atarax).  Can't say it did anything for me, but it sure helped when I had poison ivy.  I have a friend who swears by it.  Go figure.  I really think you should stay open to the Klonopin if needed.  Celexa might do the trick all by itself.   I'm so happy you have a PLAN.  Sometimes just that, in itself, cuts some of the anxiety.  

[colleendawn813]

well. she diagnosed me as having a little bit of everything. mostly GAD, some panic disorder with agoraphobia, and mild depression. (and a cherry on top lol!) she said also that i have made a lot of major changes in the past year, and i need to allow myself time to adapt. she advised i continue with counseling and therapy, and try not to isolate myself so much, join a club etc. as far as meds, she gave me celexa. first she offered me a choice.she said since i have tried zoloft, prozac and lexapro, paxil and celexa are the only ssris left to try. it is a "watered down" version of lexapro, so she said i should tolerate it fairly well, seeing as the other ssris are stronger and that may be why i have such a reaction to them. she also said i could try an snri if i chose, such as effexor (no insurance though) or cymbalta. she said cymbalta would have more side effects than celexa, so we will try celexa first.
as far as my being worried about taking too much ativan, she said go ahead and finish this prescription of ativan, and then she will give me klonopin. to supplement the ativan for now she gave me vistaril(sp?) which is like a mild antihistamine, instead of taking more ativan if i feel nervous between doses.
i must say i am nervous to take the celexa. the pharmacist said to take it before bed, as did the psychiatrist. but the pharmacist also said it may keep me up so who knows! on a bright note my mom is coming to visit from Ohio tonight for 10 days...haven't seen her since i left in May. she can help calm me if i freak out:)
ill be looking forward to you guys' feedback on this, and any thoughts on celexa. you guys are awesome!

[MeganPixel]

I hope everything went OK today colleen, it made me sick to read that a primary care doctor refuses to see people with anxiety and depression.... SERIOUSLY??  So is that a don't-ask-don't-tell doctor?  For goodness sake.

Good for you for keeping on this.  I wish there were a way for us to rally to help!

[lynn57]

How did your appointment go with the psychiatrist today?

[colleendawn813]

Exactly! It is hard to accept myself when I know I am NOT myself right now. The ativan is working, and i really don't think i need an antidepressant, just a longer lasting antianxiety...who knows. I have been looking at different drugs online and trying to determine which sounds like it would help me. I am not doctor but Id like to be informed when I walk in there so I know about what is being prescribed to me. My fingers are crossed that this psychiatrist can help me. Thanks for the support and feedback.

[lynn57]

Accepting yourself is one thing, but making yourself the best that you can be is what we strive for.  You know ativan worked, but didn't last long enough.  Most pcp's or psychiatrist would rather prescribe klonopin anyway because of the tolerance issues with ativan.  I hope that you can find someone that will work with making you feel the way you deserve to feel....normal.

[colleendawn813]

thanks for the suggestions i appreciate it. i tried to call one pcp and the receptionist informed me that "they do not treat people with anxiety or depression" i asked why and she said it was the doctor's policy. really? i was at wits end sitting at urgent care waiting to waste 55 bucks when i got a call from a psychiatrist who had a cancellation and can see me thursday morning. thank goodness! i left urgent care and saw my therapist who just told me i am being too hard on myself and i need to accept myself and quit beating myself up. true, i do that a lot. but geez i feel like i should stop griping and just be normal because so many people have it worse than me!(me beating myself up) guess i do have some underlying issues that therapy could help...sooooo...here's to making it til thursday:)

[mammo]

Who prescribed the Ativan for you?  Maybe you can explain to them what happened and they can help you. They obviously didn't expect this result, as they were concerned enough to help you once, try them again and go from there.  Good luck and take care.

[nursegirl6572]

Ah geez, I'm so sorry to hear this, what an absolute disappointment.  :0(

Don't give up...how about asking the therapist to help you get in to see a p-doc a little sooner?  They do those kinds of referrals all the time.  A PCP may also be a good option as well, but of course you'll have to find one first and start that process, which may also take time.

I think the therapist is the way to go...that would seem like the best connection.  Beg and plead...explain this situation you're in and that August is simply unreasonable.

Keep pounding on doors and ringing phones off the hook.  I know it's frustrating, but I think you'll find a solution.  Sadly, it's just going to give you a big ole' headache while doing so.

Let us know...thinking about you.