Medication

[Espinoza38]

Today I went for my follow up and my doctor got mad at me. He told me that I have to get on meds or he will no longer see me as a patient. Now I'm a see a psychiatrist which sucks because I know they going to want to put me on more meds. So by the time I knew it I was put on 3 different meds. Metoprolol, paxil, and xanax. Does anyone else take this combination of meds and if you do how does it make u feel?

[pink83737]

I take Zoloft and ability together and at first it made me feel terrible until it evened out and I ended up being fine

[Espinoza38 in reply to pink83737]

I usto be on paxil it did help me alot, but the last time I took one i ended up in the ER. it made me have a panic attack. I know i need the meds I'm tired of all this. I'm tired of feeling this way.

[b1b1b1]

I think metropolol is a blood pressure medication. Check with your druggist if this is correct. As to the paxil & zanax, I think you will be fine. I take paxil along with an occasional ativan (which is also a tranquilizer). The combination does not cause any problems for me.

[Espinoza38 in reply to b1b1b1]

When do you take your paxil and Ativan? The metoprolol is for my A-fib. I was on paxil before it did help me alot but I stopped then started again. That's when I had a full blown panic attack

[b1b1b1 in reply to Espinoza38]

I take the paxil every morning. I use the continuous release version. I take the occasional ativan whenever I feel extremely worried. Sometimes I take the paxil and ativan together. It does not cause any problem. Just don't drink while the xanax is in your system.

[Espinoza38 in reply to b1b1b1]

Oh yeah I try not to drink at all. But I'm so worried to be on meds but I know i need them.

[Calm_mama]

Hi,

Paxil is an SSRI- should be fine for you to take. Helps some people quite a bit with anxiety/depression. Titrate up to goal dose unless goal dose is very low.

Metoprolol is a beta blocker- technically a blood pressure med but it is often prescribed in low doses for high anxiety/panic. It settles down the sympathetic nervous system, so for some people it "chills them out" a bit, and it also helps keep heart rate from getting too high, a common complaint of people with anxiety/panic. Most people get this prescribed as an "as needed" med for days of high anxiety and/or palpitations (skipped beats) or racing heart. Some people are put on it for every day use to keep those symptoms at bay.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine, usually an as-needed med for high anxiety/panic, but it can be prescribed daily for a short while for people who are in a high anxiety state. To take the edge off, or give some space to the mind that is in the throes of anxiety. It should not be used daily long term. If used as needed, it should be used as sparingly as possible - it is addictive, and it also ultimately causes people to miss the opportunities they need to truly recover from anxiety/panic (we all need anxiety/panic to be present in order to recover from it- by having the correct reaction to it)

This trio is classic and pretty tried/true for a person in a high anxiety state. The goal is usually to get off the Xanax first, then the metoprolol, and most likely stay on the SSRI long term.

One thing about how this all wiill make you feel- I believe strongly that the highly anxious person has frequent "side effects" from meds like this that are truly just anxiety doing its thing while you are in a sensitized state. Yes, side effects are real, but most of the symptoms I see and hear about are correlated more with the anxiety that comes about from starting the meds and fearing the side effects. Tricky. The xanax is the one you'll feel the most unless the dose is very low. It will make you feel less anxious more than anything.

A really good anxiety/depression therapist and the right self-help resources will help you more than anything in the long run of course check out the resources on my profile for excellent self-help resources.

You are not alone. So many of us have been right where you are. Long ago I had 2 doctors get quite frustrated/angry with me because of my high anxiety state be gentle and kind to yourself. You are on a journey and it ultimately can get you to a really good place

[Espinoza38 in reply to Calm_mama]

Thank you thank you thank you. So I will start on the meds. I am scared to be on all three but I'm a go ahead and do it. I also have CBD oil that I never started. I just stare at it. But thank you for explain all the meds to me. I always look up the bad things on the meds. I never look up the good. And i will look into the resources you have. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Calm_mama]

I really like your explanation and how that people with anxiety tend to feel more the side effects I know if I read about a side effect it seems to happen to me.. thank you for a very thorough explanation.

[Hidden]

hi 🌸 taking meds can be a pain i know. I've been taking meds since I'm 21 and I'm now 40. it took a while to get the combination right. rather see how you go and give feedback to the doctor. this way he can go forward in the right direction. it's best to work together I promise. if you choose not to have meds it is difficult for the psychiatrist to do much else. they deal with meds to help symptoms and a psychologist helps with talking and help to get our minds in a healthy place. don't give up. do what you need to do but keep doors open we can't always help ourselves. when things get hectic we already feel lonely and without help. be strong. allow yourself help you deserve it, promise 🌸

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[JessyB2013]

In my personal experience all the drugs do nothing but put more burden on your body. I was put on several medications from the time I was a young teen, around 14, until now at 31 and it has caused me tremendous pain, sickness and suffering. If someone would have only just tried to help me work through the anxiety problems instead of putting me on a cocktail of drugs I probably would have been fine. The drugs destroyed my body ..my gut, my hormones, my liver...and I have been horribly ill. I also think my original problem as a teen was hormone Imbalance but they just stuck me on the pills. When you have anxiety and/or depression your body is trying to tell you something. It wants you to listen. Taking a bunch of drugs to cover symptoms rather then dealing with the root issue of why our bodies are showing us these signs is the wrong way of doing things!!! We have evolved for millions of years, our bodies are trying to deal with just the last hundred years...the plastics, toxins, drugs, pesticides, GMOs, antibiotics, growth hormones, etc,etc. Let alone the stress of living in our current society. If your having anxiety or depression look at what toxins you can get out of your life. Look really close at your diet. Try to adopt a more plant based whole food diet. Try yoga and meditation. Look at healing past traumas and doing some reading. I'm telling you the answer is not a ton of pills!!!! Our natural bodies are not meant to be on all this synthetic crap. Trust me, I know, I've been suffering for so long because someone told me that drugs were what I needed to "fix" my mind and body. Wrong.