meds & anxiety?

[aheart]

Has anyone had an experience of certain meds causing anxiety? I'm not referring to meds for anxiety like xanax, etc but I have noticed lately that when I take vicodin for pain it seems to bring on anxiety. Anyone else had this? I take several different meds for various things.

[aheart]

It was'nt real bad or anything, I still go about my day. I don't let my anxiety rule me. It may of had something to do with my trip to the Dept Of Revenue today to find out if I owed them anything!  Greenlydia, I got my stent in 09 and did not experience what you did but the whole thing is rather anxiety producing! When I got home I was afraid to lay down too fast, etc etc. That is scary stuff when you don't know what to expect. I just lost a co-worker to a sudden heart attack so we are lucky indeed to have our stents!  I have blamed my anxiety on the menopause but you never know do you. I have that Type A personality and we are more prone to anxiety in general I think. LOL no, I'm not really 110, I just feel like it some mornings before the pain meds! Thanks for your thoughts

[cj29]

I would have to agree with greenlydia here.  For me, whenever I start a medication, I also become very hyper vigilant and oversenstized to any and all things that could possibly be related to the medication.  In reality, we do have side effects when we take meds, but in my opinion, if we are already worried we can definitely magnify its effects at least in our minds.  Keeping an open line of communication between your doctor is a smart thing to do.  I also agree that an underused resource can be your pharmacist...one, their advice is free and they are experts with medications and their effects on our bodies...keep us posted!

[RubyWitch]

Perhaps it's your age that affects your reactions? I'd write "LOL" but maybe you really ARE 110 years old!

GL

[RubyWitch]

It has happened to me once or twice. The last time was when I had to have two heart stents placed this summer. I was put on a cardiac medication which caused some weird side effects and lead to me having several panic attacks. The cardiologist explained that these symptoms would go away quickly once my body adjusted to the med and within a week, the symptoms had completely gone away.
I have a bit of a "side effect" phobia and become hyper-vigilant when I begin a new medication. Any little tweak or twinge or odd sensations will send me into a panic until I speak either with my doctor, his PA or the pharmacist. Once I know that these are common side effects and while uncomfortable, will pass, I can relax. (A little. LOL)

I always ask my doctors now about side effects, making sure they understand my phobia, and they seem to take a bit more time explaining all the possible effects I might experience. My pharmacist has also become a very good friend over the years! They are worth their weight in gold when it comes to calming folks like us down.

You're not alone and if you ever get spooked about a side effect, call your local pharmacist or write to us here.
(Since you only mention Vicodin, is it possible that it's just the opiate family of meds that cause the anxiety?)

Hang in there and don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
Peace
Greenlydia