PANIC

[knoxx]

HI I'M 27 AND MY ANXIETY STARTED WHEN I WAS 8, I USED TO BE ABLE TO COPE BUT NOW THAT I'VE BEEN KIDNAPPED, RAPPED, VERBALLY, PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSED FOR OVER A DECADE BY MY FAMILY, GOT PTSD, GOING THROUGH OPIATE WITHDRAWALS (CAR ACCIDENT) AND A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IT'S OUT OF CONTROL I CAN'T MAKE MY SCRIPT (XANAX 1MG 5X DAILY) LAST A WHOLE MONTH AND I DON'T WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE OR HAVE ANYONE THINK I'M ABUSING MY MEDICATION I'M NOT IT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND IT LIKE IT JUST SLAPS ME IN THE FACE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP ME????

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome.  I'm sorry you are having such a rough time, you've been through so much!

A few things I wanted to address, you say you're not abusing your Xanax script, but you also state that you're running out early, which must mean you are taking more than prescribed.  Even if you aren't abusing it to get "high", for recreational purposes, you are still misusing it if you are not following the dosing instructions. How long have you been on the Xanax and how much are you taking per day?

I think you need to have a very honest discussion with your doctor, about everything, the Xanax, the opiate w/d (why are you w/d'ing?  Has the med been discontinued by your doctor, or are you taking more than Rx'd and running out?).  

Have you ever tried therapy?  I think you need some intense psychotherapy for starters, to help you process what has happened to you in the past, and how to start moving forward with your life.  The meds definitely need addressed too, because the last thing you want is to end up having seizures because your Xanax ran out.  You have to be SO careful with benzos.  

Have you ever asked about a long acting benzo, like Klonopin?  You may do better on that because it keeps you more stable, with less ups and downs, it also doesn't have nearly the severe tolerance issues as the short acting benzos, therefore, you may not find yourself needing more than Rx'd.  Of course, if you are abusing either the opiate or the benzo, then a habit forming medication would be contraindicated for you.  That's something you'll have to be honest with yourself about.

Just some things to think about, and definitely a heart to heart is needed with your doctor.  Best of luck to you, let us know how you're doing!

[remar]

You have been through an awful lot in your young life. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Is there any way you can get counseling? Or, are you already in counseling? Xanax is a great med for panic attacks. Many people find that they need more and more as time goes by to control their anxiety though. I would recommend talking to your Dr about a longer acting anti anxiety med.Or, possibly an antidepressant. Many of them not only help depression but, anxiety too.