anxiety

[byrne7]

anxiety is bad anybody dealing with ocd the drugs and side effects

[BonnieSue]

I have a little OCD but also GAD which is the main reason I'm on a benzodiazepine called Klonopin/clonazepam. In the last 11 months I've cut it down from 4 mgs per day to 1 mg per day. The side effects are gaps in my memory which prevents me from holding a job. I'm fortunate in that I don't have to work to get by. But I sure didn't like losing the income I was bringing in when I first had to give up working. My OCD is covered pretty well by the drug. I have the ability not to get too obsessed except for some cleaning habits around the house and other places.

What about you?

[byrne7 in reply to BonnieSue]

ocd is bad today I keep thinking anxiety is ruining my life. I am worried about crashing my car. side effects make it worse and seem real

[BonnieSue in reply to byrne7]

Then I can recommend that you see a doctor and get on medication because of your personal safety being threatened. When you feel anxiety ruining your life and your personal safety it's no longer an inconvenience it's an emergency to reduce the anxiety to a very low level. If necessary, go to an emergency room and they will treat you with mild tranquilizers and may send you home with a short supply of 1-2 days' worth to see you through to a doctor's appointment. An appointment I highly recommend.

I couldn't have been so highly functional as I have for decades without mild tranquilizers. I'd be useless and shaky and not sleeping or eating. Instead I've worked and raised children and lived a normal life. Mild tranquilizers called benzodiazepines carry a pricetag. The possible, not guaranteed, side effects are (1) addiction and (2) possible memory gaps.

[BonnieSue in reply to BonnieSue]

I can explain more about the benzos and other useful drugs if you're interested. I also have a large list of non-drug alternatives that you can pick from to get more control of your anxiety and to understand it better even if you have the help of a drug. These come from other people on this site who have had success with these resources. Take care.

[byrne7 in reply to BonnieSue]

I have been on them

[byrne7]

I do see a doctor and have other problems. depression is one and it's hard with both

[BonnieSue in reply to byrne7]

Yes, it is hard but both usually are present together. And often there are other diagnoses. You seem to know all of this. What do you need that you don't already know? Do you like to talk to other people who have also struggled with these problems? I've been through really tough, miserable times when I didn't care if I lived or not because I was so miserable but also really good times that I've enjoyed. Thank God the good are much much longer years than the bad months. Is that what you have found to be true in your life?

[byrne7]

thanks yes I worked for 23 years and have ups and downs. more downs recently

[BrookeMDraper]

Me too. My side effects are rough too. What are dealing with? Want to message...

[byrne7]

hang in there constipation anxiety fatigue