Psychatrist Suggesting The Addition Of A New Anti-anxiety Med

[Deleted member 28403]

Around the end of this month I will probably be getting back on the third med I need for managing panic attacks, an anti anxiety thing. My psychiatrists suggested Xanax but might be something else in the end?

I cannot do diazepam as I'm sorta addicted and if I start it after a few days I cannot stop without a serious crisis, but still staying in benzodiazepine class

And oppinions or suggestions?

 

[Ocean5]

Sael.... for me Xanax helped stop "cycle" of panic attacks. Told to take when I felt one coming on before it got too bad. But not to take daily, nor after a nighmare/night terror. I keep one on me now as insurance that I know it will calm me. Mentally that helps.

Told "not" to take daily. It's very addictive for many people, and since you already had problems with diazepam. But for panic attacks Xanax works quickly. Also remember your 15, smart and brain is still developing. :hug:

Has your psychiatrists tried off label drugs like anti-histamines or high blood pressure medicines? ( Vistaril or Prazosin) I know Prazosin is mostly referred to for nightmares, but I was given twice a day. Morning and night.

But I'm sensitive to medicine. Might work for you. Worth a try if you haven't already tried. Safer than benzos.

Wish you some peace :hug:

 

[Powder]

For being able to get off without much withdrawl, if you step it down a tiny bit, Clonidine.

Catapress is the brand name of Clonidine.

These are my go to for managing flashbacks if my other coping tools that are not medication-based do not work. It seems to turn the PTSD into the "off" position within two doses. Quiets things down without feeling medicated.

I take a child size dose and it works. It helps you sleep, and you wake up feeling well rested, but a bit groggy.

It does treat/prevent night terrors and nightmares for most people. Although I suggest combining it with aromatherapy for best results in stopping those when chronic.

I 100% agree that EXTENDED release XANAX is the best stuff on earth in helping you feel better with PTSD, but it has some major drawbacks.

1. Addictive
2. Makes you more selfish and have impulse control. AKA turns a "giver" into a "taker"
3. Makes obsessive or dissociative symptoms a bit harder to manage/worse

If your main thing is anxiety, it is, I believe still the gold standard, albeit highly addictive and hard to get off of. I do agree, taking a lowest dose and only as needed could be the way to go. Same for Clonidine though. Less addictive and just as effective. So maybe discuss.

Also Clonidine is used to treat ADHD in children. It may help you focus on school work. Xanax may discourage you from doing schoolwork and make you more prone to procrastination.

 

[Sideways]

That song "I hate you, I love you, I hate that I love you..." - that's me and benzos.

Yes, diaz stops my panic attacks right now. Yes, sleeping tablets will help me sleep tonight.

But as an answer to my anxiety? I'm like you. My anxiety is in this for the long haul, so I just can't afford to rely on benzos, in any packaging. I took too many sleepers over 2 weeks, and then went cold turkey and landed in hospital with the withdrawals.

If this is not a 2 week issue, I hope you and your doc can find a really helpful solution outside the benso class. Hope you get some relief - things have been tough for you.

 

[Stickler]

I find 100 mg of diphenhydramine stops a panic attack.
25 would be more normal.

 

[Insight]

For me Xanax is my savior,

I am able to hide my PTSD symptoms at work and actually focus and kill the anxiety and panic attacks. The important thing is to understand and respect it.

Your psychiatrist is recommending this medication because he/she has determined that the benefits out weight the side effects, but when it comes down to it only you can make the call on what medication works best for you.

Remember, you are smart and have a bright future ahead of you. :)

 

[Justmehere]

Hydroxyzine aka Vistaril is an antihistamine that works better than benzo's for me.

If you are addicted or physiologically dependent on the Ativan, it would be a very good idea to avoid adding another benzo for long term use. You may just have a biochemistry where your body gets hooked on them fast, and they lose their effect and then you have withdrawals.

I have the same problem with benzos myself. One med that really helped anxiety for me is Trilofan. It's an atypical antipsychotic and it reduce my anxiety better than the strongest benzos. I didn't have any psychosis symptoms but it still worked for the anxiety. It helped me get off a high dose of klonopin. It wasn't too hard to get off it too when the time came to do that.

I hope you find something that works for you!

 

[BrianX]

Around the end of this month I will probably be getting back on the third med I need for managing panic...

Atavan? it is in the same class.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

He prescribed Xanax to me on monday. Picked it up yesterday

 

[The ANP]

I second Clonodine as a miracle drug for my symptoms. I stay away from benzos due to my history of alcohol addiction. Clonodine within 2 days quieted my obsessive thoughts, feelings of constant terror and wanting to jump out of my own skin.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

I am not really noticing Xanax having much effect... Hmm... Any ideas one any way of taking it in that should strengthen the effects, like, I heard somewhere that you should maybe put it under your tongue or something?

 

[joeylittle]

@Saelben - xanax can be a little more long-acting; you might not necessarily feel the 'hit' of it, just trust that it's working, and try and not take it unless extremely necessary.