I'm new here. Anyone know if there is a reason my doctor won't try me on something other than Ativan for anxiety. It's stopped working.

[Katie8791]

My anxiety has decreased some since my daily medications were adjusted but I still feel anxiety with many physical symptoms a few times a week. Not only scary to me because I get really down about it. The most bothersome symptom for me is the uncontrollable thoughts and the impatience/irritability. It's not ok for me to throw my phone every time it rings. I've recently found that my initial reaction to disturbances from other people is to get pissed. Then I feel bad about it because I'm judging their reason for interrupting as if I know it's nothing important and they just want to bother me. This is ridiculous and I know it. The ativan, even in a higher dose than I'd normally take, is not working anymore. I've mentioned this to my doctor 3 times. Should I bother bringing it up again? I'm still having a lump in my throat, shaking and heart thumping even after I take it.

[Hidden]

I would bring it up again and tell the doctor you feel you aren’t being heard. If he still doesn’t address your concerns I would see if you can get a new doctor.

[Hope4me2018]

I suffer from anxiety and how you just described the ringing of the phone and friends I could swear we are twins. I often get mad and feel a certain way about things people do and it’s me taking it the wrong way. Then I feel horrible afterwards. I actually take Xanax for my anxiety however, my dr doesn’t want me taking it unless I have too, she said it’s addictive and that she prefers me taking a medication I could take everyday. I’ve taken Ativan before and it might would have helped if it I could take everyday. If you tell your dr this medication is not working any longer and your symptoms have increased they should prescribe something different. I doubt the dr would want to prescribe Xanax as a daily medication but problem is all the other medications for depression and anxiety don’t agree with me. Maybe you can take another daily med and If you can’t get something new for your symptoms I would definitely go to another dr.

[Katie8791 in reply to Hope4me2018]

I’m already on a daily regimen of Wellbutrin and Cymbalta. The Ativan is only for anxiety that I can’t get to go down by other means. I will be talking to her about changing the cymbalta and possible something else for my “as needed” attack’s.

[Hidden]

Katie8791, unfortunately Benzodiazepines are very addictive you have to keep upping the dose to feel the effects. Your doc should have you on an antidepressant I would think.

[Katie8791 in reply to Hidden]

I’m on Wellbutrin and Cymbalta daily. And yes I agree that they’re very addictive. Upping the dose AGAIN does not seem like a good idea. I’ve told her several times about it and she says I’m safe to increase but I just don’t want to take things that aren’t working. I take enough stuff.

[Jess831]

Have you tried CBT? Stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It's short term and it's evidence-based. Supposed to be very effective, especially in combination with medication +makes the medication much more effective.) You might try it is your current medications aren't working well enough to have a good quality of life. You can ask your doctor for a referral.

[Katie8791 in reply to Jess831]

Yeah she’s suggested it many times. I just can’t afford it. Even with health insurance. That’s Part of the reason I’m on this page. I figure talking to others who can relate and give me perspective, is better than nothing, I guess.