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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tina1 on May 26, 2000, at 23:01:33
I just have a little question to all those out there with panic attacks and/or anxiety. I am a little confused about the benzos. Are you supposed to take them on a regular basis or are they just for the times when you feel particularly anxious. I guess I'm asking if I should take them at the same time everyday even if I don't feel particularly anxious and should I stick to a schedule even when I do feel anxious. Does this make sense? Right now I'm taking them whenever I feel anxious, not regularly. Are they like AD's, I have to take them at the same time everyday? I find some days that I need them more often than others, and I try not to take them if I don't need them, Is this the wrong way to go about it? I always feel like I've had too much caffeine but I don't ingest anything caffeinated, ever. Always jittery and nervous. Would this improve if I took the Xanax regularly everyday? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks---Tina
Posted by ChrisK on May 27, 2000, at 7:27:33
In reply to Question about anxiety meds, posted by Tina1 on May 26, 2000, at 23:01:33
Tina,
I always took them "As Needed." Many people do take them every day and that helps out a lot. Right now with a pretty much successful regiment of AD's I haven't had a panic attack in about two years. I still do keep a little supply of Klonopin for times when I know I'm going into a situation which will cause my anxiety to flair up. I usually take it an hour or so before the event and end up getting through it OK. Of course these are mostly family gatherings and parties where I still have to tolerate all of the conversations with relatives no matter how mundane or hurtful.
My best suggestion is that if you are having success without taking Benzo's every day then you should keep up with your current use.
Chris
Posted by Gordon on May 27, 2000, at 8:58:40
In reply to Question about anxiety meds, posted by Tina1 on May 26, 2000, at 23:01:33
Tina: I agree pretty much with Chris' response and would like to add that your prescribing doc should give you a dosing regimen that is best for you.
In general, for occasional anxiety you should take the occasional benzo. If, however, you are having the attacks on a daily basis or oftener, you probably want to discuss a regular dosing schedule so you can "stay ahead" of the attacks.
You don't want your brain to get in a pattern of controlling you with an anxiety attack whenever it wants to.
You may want to study Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to learn to possibly diminish the attacks before they get too far gone without medication. A good book on this is; "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook", by Edmund Bourne, Ph.D. It's in paperback and readily available.
Posted by Tina1 on May 27, 2000, at 9:27:59
In reply to Re: Question about anxiety meds, posted by Gordon on May 27, 2000, at 8:58:40
Actually, my problem is the fact that the benzos don't take care of the attacks. They make me very sleepy but I am still anxious and panicky doped up to the gills. Is this the fault of the AD I'm on or the inactivity of the benzo. I take celexa and Xanax and I'm wondering if taking the Xanax regularly would eventually build up enough to stop the anxiety or if it does only work on a temporary basis. It's getting really bad. The depression has returned with a vengeance and the anxiety is constant, like I've had 30 cups of coffee intravenously. Shaky, dizzy, nauseous, palpitating--24-7. Would a steady supply of benzo help that or should I change the AD's? That's my quandry. Thanks for the responses guys.---hugs, Tina
> Tina: I agree pretty much with Chris' response and would like to add that your prescribing doc should give you a dosing regimen that is best for you.
>
> In general, for occasional anxiety you should take the occasional benzo. If, however, you are having the attacks on a daily basis or oftener, you probably want to discuss a regular dosing schedule so you can "stay ahead" of the attacks.
>
> You don't want your brain to get in a pattern of controlling you with an anxiety attack whenever it wants to.
>
> You may want to study Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to learn to possibly diminish the attacks before they get too far gone without medication. A good book on this is; "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook", by Edmund Bourne, Ph.D. It's in paperback and readily available.
Posted by Noa on May 27, 2000, at 10:54:29
In reply to To ChrisK, posted by Tina1 on May 27, 2000, at 9:27:59
Tina, you are still early in the Serzone process, so I would probably not add something like a benzo at this point.
And, yes, I agree, the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook is an excellent resource.
Posted by Noa on May 27, 2000, at 10:57:37
In reply to To ChrisK, posted by Tina1 on May 27, 2000, at 9:27:59
PS--I think you are not alone in finding benzos a weak anti-anxiety strategy. For a lot of people, I think, they do offer sleep and sedation, and perhaps relief from the acute panic symptoms, but don't really get at the heart of the matter for the anxiety disorder, which might be better addressed with an AD.
Posted by Alan on May 27, 2000, at 13:57:10
In reply to Re: anxiety meds--PS, posted by Noa on May 27, 2000, at 10:57:37
> PS--I think you are not alone in finding benzos a weak anti-anxiety strategy. For a lot of people, I think, they do offer sleep and sedation, and perhaps relief from the acute panic symptoms, but don't really get at the heart of the matter for the anxiety disorder, which might be better addressed with an AD.
*************************************
I find anxiolytics extremely safe and effective for anxiety disorder as does the general psychaitric community. The problem lies in what benzo to choose. They certainly effect me differently. Xanax definitely just made me sleepy while Ativan with a combo of Celexa is marvelous! One can't generalise about benzos based on trying just one type or at one dose. The first line of defense against an anxiety disorder is more often than not, benzodiazapines.
The problem is finding if the depression is causing the anxiety or the other way around. Too much Celexa caused me to be hyped too. But then again it may not be the right AD for you...have you tried others?
Celexa throttled down with a bezo. and a little Neurontin has worked well for me.See if you can decipher with your pdoc whether the depression is causing the anxiety or the other way around. Mine is anxiety driving the depression.
Alan
**************************************8
Posted by Tina1 on May 27, 2000, at 15:42:11
In reply to Re: anxiety meds--PS, posted by Alan on May 27, 2000, at 13:57:10
Mine is anxiety driven depression too. When the anxiety is controlled though, I'm still depressed. This "illness" is too confusing to think about sometimes. It's a contradiction.
> > PS--I think you are not alone in finding benzos a weak anti-anxiety strategy. For a lot of people, I think, they do offer sleep and sedation, and perhaps relief from the acute panic symptoms, but don't really get at the heart of the matter for the anxiety disorder, which might be better addressed with an AD.
> *************************************
> I find anxiolytics extremely safe and effective for anxiety disorder as does the general psychaitric community. The problem lies in what benzo to choose. They certainly effect me differently. Xanax definitely just made me sleepy while Ativan with a combo of Celexa is marvelous! One can't generalise about benzos based on trying just one type or at one dose. The first line of defense against an anxiety disorder is more often than not, benzodiazapines.
> The problem is finding if the depression is causing the anxiety or the other way around. Too much Celexa caused me to be hyped too. But then again it may not be the right AD for you...have you tried others?
> Celexa throttled down with a bezo. and a little Neurontin has worked well for me.
>
> See if you can decipher with your pdoc whether the depression is causing the anxiety or the other way around. Mine is anxiety driving the depression.
> Alan
> **************************************8
Posted by ChrisK on May 28, 2000, at 7:02:43
In reply to Re: To ChrisK, posted by Noa on May 27, 2000, at 10:54:29
Tina,
You may want to try this website for some more ideas. I have found it very helpful in the past and it has a good community in the discussion areas. It is called tAPir and is all about anxiety and panic. I think now you have to register but it's still free and anyone can post. (Similar to here.)
http://www.algy.com/anxiety/index.shtml
I know there are quite a few people there that have had good success with a combo of benzos and SSRI's.
I wish the benzo's were working for you. I know from personal experience how hard it is to find the right meds. It took me about two years to find something that helped and I am still playing around with my meds and doses.
Posted by Tina1 on May 28, 2000, at 10:04:33
In reply to Re: To ChrisK, posted by ChrisK on May 28, 2000, at 7:02:43
> Tina,
>
> You may want to try this website for some more ideas. I have found it very helpful in the past and it has a good community in the discussion areas. It is called tAPir and is all about anxiety and panic. I think now you have to register but it's still free and anyone can post. (Similar to here.)
>
> http://www.algy.com/anxiety/index.shtml
>
> I know there are quite a few people there that have had good success with a combo of benzos and SSRI's.
>
> I wish the benzo's were working for you. I know from personal experience how hard it is to find the right meds. It took me about two years to find something that helped and I am still playing around with my meds and doses.
Posted by Joanna on May 28, 2000, at 12:10:25
In reply to Question about anxiety meds, posted by Tina1 on May 26, 2000, at 23:01:33
I have the same problem only I'm taking valium and prozac. I'm going thru a bad patch right now and the prozac and valium just isn't cutting it even at high dosages. Out of sheer desperation, I tried some of my son's meds, lithium and depakote, and to my suprise it calmed me down without making me feel sleepy and drowsy. I was getting so pissed off and revved up that I just couldn't get it down. It's horrible to have the anxiety attacks and you can't put the brakes on. I'm seeing my pdoc to reevaluate my whole med situation.
Joanna
Posted by Noa on May 30, 2000, at 18:23:42
In reply to Re: Question about anxiety meds, posted by Joanna on May 28, 2000, at 12:10:25
I'm glad people who know firsthand jumped in, as apparently the impression I expressed in my post was not at all representative!
This is the end of the thread.
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