I'm new here and looking for some help. I had issues about 30 years ago when I thought my health was deteriorating. Long story short I ended up with depression and anxiety from worrying so much and was put on an antidepressant called Pamelor and I believe xanax but not sure but in that family of meds. After about a year I was weaned off both meds. I rarely had any issues again until about 7 years ago. Again I was being tested for an illness. I was misdiagnosed and it turned out to be asthma instead of COPD. But before I found out it was really asthma I begin to have anxiety issues. I could not stop my thoughts from worrying about my health and so I was put on Cymbalta and Klonopin. I took the Cymbalta as prescribed but I only took to klonopin once. The Klonopin seemed to help but I was so afraid of addiction that I stopped it and ONLY took the Cymbalta. The cymbalta worked within 2 weeks. After about 1 year I asked the Dr to wean me off of the Cymbalta. I did this and have been fine the past 6 years. So until now I felt great with the exception maybe 1-2 times every other month I may have a day or 2 of slight anxiety but nothing I couldn't deal with.
But now I have had anxiety for the past 5 days. No panic attacks just the nervous feeling, edgy and can't think clearly and constantly worrying. I can't stop from thinking about my health and to make matters worse I am so afraid to take Cymbalta or rhe Xanax that the doctor prescribed me. My biggest fear is that I'm going to get addicted to the meds. This fear makes my anxiety even worse. I don't know what to do. My doctor is away on vacation so I saw the fill in Dr. She prescribed me Buspar 10mg 2x a day. When I did some research most of what I read had people saying that they have more anxiety and nervousness from taking Buspar. So now I'm afraid to take it. The assistant Dr. also told me this med acts similar to Xanax in that it works within a an hour of taking it. But the difference is that it's non-addictive and works immediately. From what I have read through my research that's also not true. I read it takes 2-3 weeks to work. So now I've lost me trust in using this med. So I wanted to ask the experienced people on this site, do you think that I should just take the Xanax .25mg only as needed and see if that helps? If I get it under control then try go without the Xanax and see if I don't have the anxiety any longer? But if the anxiety returns then I try to start taking the Cymbalta and the Xanax together? Once Cymbalta kicks in wean off the Xanax and stay on the cymbalta? Please help since I need a plan. Thnx.
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well...your best bet is to either take them or not. You seem to find reasons not to take them, every med has side effects....it's just a choice of whether taking the meds reduces your health anxiety more than any perceived side effects, as you say your only reading about them possibly being a problem...
as far as you're fear of addiction....just don't take anything that's addictive....but the fact is, if you have an addictive personality....anything can become an addiction if you over do it habitually.
Thank you fauxartist. The only thing that I've had an addiction to has been cigarettes. I've quit off and on but no addiction to alcohol or drugs and in fact and as you can see they scare me to death. I was told that the Buspar was not addictive so I was happy to take that but when I did some research on it it says that it can increase your anxiety which is the last thing I need. I know I've been asking for medical advice but I was hoping to get some past experience advice on Buspar. Thank you again for your response and wish you well
since of course everyone is effected by drugs differently some one else would probably have their own experience with this drug, it's not always the same from person to person....you are you best judge on how a med will work or not work for you. It is frustrating for sure, but it's a trade off on if it's worth having your anxiety more under control as opposed to any side effects, which for the most part, is minimal.
Just for clarification ; Addiction isn't always about alcohol or drugs as you know. Some people think for something to be addictive it has to have something to do with a chemical dependence. Anything in excess can be an addiction;, exorcise, cleaning, working, gambling, shopping, anything , and is not OCD...
Thnx again fauxartist, I guess my biggest fear is taking the medications. And then not working or they make me worse. I wish it was as easy as taking aspirin for a headache but I know it's not. But you're right I have to take the chance if I want to get rid of these anxious worried nervous feelings because they're unbearable. Also thanks for explaining addiction, that makes sense. My personality is more of a worry wart and thinking too much into things I don't know if you would consider that an addiction but that me and I'm always that way.
Please listen to faux! They are very intelligent & would never ever steer you in the wrong direction! I'm here for you wishing for you peace of mind! XXX
Thank you anxiety_59 I really appreciate your response. It's been scary and frustrating since occasionally when I have these feelings they go away the same day but this is lasting a little longer which is giving me more anxiety. Because they've gone away in the past without medication that's causing me the tug-of-war on whether I should take the medication or just trying to gut through it and hope it goes away. Thanks again for your advice and wishing you the best.
Want a little laugh???? My hubby's name is Lou...great name!!! I'm here for you! Thank you for the hugs, today is a bad for me & I'll take all the hugs I can get!!!! XXX
That's funny, my dad's name is also Lou he always said great people were named Lou. Sorry to hear you're having a bad day I hope it gets better for you. More hugs sent your way...
Lol sounds like you have some good people around you. 😉😎
What's really crazy for me is that there are times throughout the day I don't feel any anxiety and I feel good and then it comes back especially in the morning and at night. So far no issues with sleeping I usually fall right to sleep. I may wake up a few times and have some weird dreams but I seem to sleep okay so far. That's partly why I'm trying to get through this without the medication. Bigger hugs ->😘
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