Meds For Occasional Use For Anxiety

[nycowboy]

I am tired of being grouchy to my family. They don't deserve it. At. All. My 10-year-old son keeps coming up to me and saying "Daddy. Happy. Smile. Cheese" several times a day and it breaks my heart. He does it in a totally goofy voice, but it masks his desire for his dad to not be grouchy all the time, especially on weekends.

Long story as short as I can make it. Bullied as a kid. I have a fear of people I don't know and cannot tolerate things that are in my space. The worst are the two ladies next door. I had an argument with them 3 years ago and it turned into a yelling match. Ever since then, I am afraid to be at home when they are home. I have been in therapy, I work on my breathing. I know what is going on, and that PTSD is making life hard for me.
Unexpected noises cause me to startle. People standing behind me cause fear. Even things like taking my kids yesterday to get their Halloween pumpkins was stressful. My son said we could go up the street and get them as they were BOGO. A great idea, but it scared me because the pumpkins were at a house up the street. Maybe someone will come out of their house and attack me, just like the ladies next door. Of course, nothing happened. Like always. But the fear was there.

I have thought in the back of my head for a long time about going on meds, but only a very very low dose and only using them at the worst times (weekends). I'm usually good during the weekdays as I feel safe, but at home I have a hard time unless the neighbors aren't home.

Is there a med for occasional use? Do you have any experience with it? Side effects? Addictive?

Thank you.

 

[Silver.]

Having recently self weaned off a benzo, I will advocate against their use. It just isn't worth it in the long run.
I too have problems with noise, especially repetitive noise.
(and have a 12 year old, so I completely get feeling like you need to be more present and upbeat with your child)

There are things that can help that are not prescription, which I am sure people will call "hokey", but they have worked for me.
-There is something called "Nerve Tonic" put out by Hylands, that you dissolve under your tongue. It works really well at keeping yourself stable and steady.
-Lemon balm tincture is really helpful for the anxiety. It's probably been the best thing that I have tried.
-There is also an "Anxiety Soother" tonic. It's pretty potent tasting, but it does work.
(I get both of these tinctures through Herb Pharm)
-Once I found a meditation process that worked for me, it's been extremely helpful.

I would seriously look into alternatives to prescription before going to prescription. Some people really do find that being on a benzo has helped them immensely. When I was on one, I would have told you the same thing. But in retrospect, going on it was one of the worst decisions I could have made for myself.
I am so sorry that you are going through this, but glad that you have reached out for help x I hope others might have some good ideas for you as well. Take Care

 

[nycowboy]

Thank you, silver!

Reading some of other people's troubles in the medication forums, I feel like my own problems are pretty miniscule!

I will look into some of the herbals.

 

[Silver.]

Try not to compare what you are going through with others, you are going through a lot and PTSD does not make navigating this world easy.
I do hope you can find something that will help you out

 

[nycowboy]

Thank you.

That nerve tonic is available locally. I think I will get some.

 

[Cannottakethis]

I would talk to a doctor. Benzos are definitely a controversial medication, I've been on and off of them for years. However, not being a medical professional I wouldn't know what's best for you. There are other medications that help with anxiety that you take every day, and then you don't have to worry about thinking about whether something is going to be anxiety producing enough to need an "as needed" medication. Since PTSD is a full time problem, you might want to look at a full time solution.

 

[EveHarrington]

I take benzos. Nothing else comes close. Benzos are used for nerve pain too so that sort of explains why they work so well for me-----I know it's my nerves that are shot.

 

[8888]

I take Xanax (a benzo) and Propranolol (a beta blocker). Both are as needed. Though my doctor really gave me propranolol to help my social anxiety, I find it helps with my PTSD too. I've never heard of beta blockers being addictive. Benzos can be addictive but aren't for me.

 

[Rollercoaster]

I would suggest reading up on magnesium.

 

[AlohaDreaming]

I was on very low level busperone that worked really well for me for anxiety.

 

[Glo809]

Greetings

Nerve tonic is a staple for me, however celexa is now part of my life, took my first dose a few minutes ago.

Stress of driving 300 miles a night with critters and poor weather are above nerve tonics calmness.

G

 

[lililuxa]

my two sense. I have a benzo scrip. I just went through an intense flashback issue i have been dealing with CPTSD since childhood.

I use mostly nattural herbal medtiation and many other techniques. HOWEVER when it gets really bad there is NOTHING wrong to take a benzo to talk the freak out cycle. HOWEVER I also do not have an addictive personality. If you can look at it as an AID to get you back on track with some meditation herbals get you eating food again (i have a kidney issue and adrenals sit on top the cortisol releasers.) I fill my scrp of 60 1MG bout three times a year not tops. when it was worse was a bit more but i worked my ass off the whole time.
Depends on the person the health and they are sadly abused with street drugs n alc or to even out hights from other hard drugs so.. that is why it is vilified. LIsten to yourself your body NONE of us can advise you on what you need to do, only share our experiences.
Days of no sleep and no eating mess me up so sometimes i need it to get out of the terror space.

i feel your pain and i feel your empowerment.