I have been through a very difficult time with Anxiety and panic attacks hospital visits and cardiology..I do have Mitro valve prolapse with some regurgitation.
Am currently wearing a monitor for 30 days. I seen a psychiatrist which gave me a few Ativan which i take half as needed..That takes the edge off. Problem is..I can not find a doctor who will give me a regular prescription..the most they give is 28..and did refill the 28.. And will not give me any more. They refuse to give me a ongoing amount..as it us a controlled substance. This is the only way i can cope unfortunately..I dont know what to do..any suggestions? AT MY WITS END.
Thank you for your reply. The MVP was found after going to the Cardiologist..I have been having Tacachardia and flutters..along with skipped beats. I have borderline hypothyroidism and am on meds for that..a statin drug for Cholesterol that is way to high despite healthy lifestyle changes. The cardiologist compared the ecg done in the office with one done in April and said it looked like i may have had a small HA. Since then a Nuclear stress test and echo..showed a good bounce back from getting my HR up to 160 on the treadmill. At night and after meals..my heartrate is very prominate as i feel it beating in my ears throat chest and head..hard to sleep. The ativan..seems to calm my HR some so i can relax. This has been so scary and honestly..as far as Cardiology goes..I still dont know if i indeed had a HA. If not for the medicine..I believe I would go crazy. That and my Faith!!
Unfortunately benzos are now being controlled by many doctors due to the new laws around opioids. I would not give up if you need a benzo, however. If you truly need it for anxiety a psychiatrist or another medical doctor maybe able to give you a light dosage to help with your increased anxiety. I do think you have to understand that MVP can cause increased anxiety and that should be well managed before you pursue any benzos.
My cardiologist refered me back to my GP. Said my Regurgitation was not bad enough that it should cause me problems..Im more confused and scared than ever. Some times I think going to the doctor makes things worse..esp..when you dont get the help and answers you need. As for managing the MVP..I am more than open to suggestions if you have any.
Thank you for your reply. The cardiologist refered me back to my gp..and i am still wearing the monitor. Like i said more than confused.
Yes Health Anxiety is a real thing. I have it too. I cant stand when they say my BP is too high or they do a simple EKG. The most important thing is just let them monitor you for the 30 days. Try and find ways to relax. There is nothing you can do until after they know the results of the monitor. Its ok to be a little nervous about this type of things, but try and meditate or listen to music. Do not focus on the monitor.
Good advice..my 30 days will soon be up..been hard not to concentrate on the monitor..since it works off a cell wifi signal and i live in a area where it is almost nonexistant..lol..it beeps throughout the day and night to let me know it has lost signal. I was told the sensor keeps the info stored until the monitor can transmit...Whew i hope so. Btw..you can not put it on silence mode.
Benzo's are not opioids though they are a controlled substance. So is Ambien! These pill mill laws were supposed to stop people from overdosing but it's only made life miserable for those who need these medications.
You poor thing. I don't have MVP, but I have horrible health anxiety and deal with ectopic heartbeats (feels like skipped beats, PVCs and PACs). I know how scary it can be when they're at their worst.
Benzos are a good short-term solution or even to have on an as needed basis, but there are also other effective medications. Has your doctor ever mentioned trying a beta blocker? They're good at controlling the heart rate and are also sometimes effective on anxiety because they block the effects of the adrenaline that is often released during episodes of anxiousness. For me, and please remember everyone is different, SSRI antidepressants have been the long term answer. Currently I take Lexapro and rarely anymore do I have an anxiety attack, but I have benzos (Xanax) for those situations.
It is very hard these days to find a GP that will prescribe them because of the serious potential of addiction and the dangers of withdrawal. I have to see a psychiatrist for medication management who prescribes the meds for my depression and anxiety.
I would definitely see your GP for routine followup, but would encourage you to call around and look for a counseling practice that offers med management.
It will get better , just give it time. Instead of Ativan, ask if there is something you can take daily. Unusual for a psychiatrist to give you just a few and not a regular script. They can give you an ongoing amount even if it's a controlled substance. I am given a controlled substance schedule IV Clonazepam also known as Klonopin and I get refills without having to go to the Dr to pick up a script each month. It's up to the Dr. Mine is not a psychiatrist just a general practitioner. Yes, they can give you a steady amount but then you might not show up to appointments. Some shrinks want to make sure you show up each month and dole it out that way. Call around and ask what their office policy is for refills on Ativan , then change dr's. Or tell your current Dr that you want to go to a dr that will give you a script for it on a regular basis and ask him or her why if they won't. Then let them know you plan to find another dr that will work with you to meet your needs.
Autumn822, I take Xanax everyday and have for the last 6 years along with blood pressure medication and a beta blocker. There is no wonder drug in the world that gets rid of Anxiety in any form totally. I wish my doctor would have weened me off Xanax 3 years ago because of its addicting properties. We as humans have to learn to live life no matter what’s thrown at us. And, we have to keep our mind positive at all times because if we don’t, our anxiety feeds and lives off us for eternity. Get well and take care.
I agree that xanax does have addicting properties, but I take it as needed. I have always been concerned that I take a bit more each year, but it controlled by the doctors rx. I never go through a whole set of refills in a year. However, I do understand the issue with taking this pill. Can you try to take half of it during the day and see if you can ween back to a lower dosage? I sometimes only take .25 mg and it helps me for the day.
The only way to officially ween off any SSRI and Xanax is through a doctors supervision. You will have withdrawals but not as bad if you are weened off slowly and I mean very slowly. The same goes for sleep meds and beta blockers. Xanax has its purpose for many who suffer from extensive Anxiety episodes. Still, I believe one can do without Xanax if they put their anxiety at bay. Much harder to do now a days, but possible. I am trying to make my anxiety work for me in a positive way. For I am a doctor and still take Xanax so go figure. Right? Stress is the number 1 cause that feeds anxiety. Meditation, CBT, and self peace will assist in minimizing anxiety levels period. There is hope and there’s always a positive alternative. Think it through. Take care
Benzos can be quite addictive, which is why the doctor is likely being conservative. I've also heard that the longer you take them, the less effective they are. You might need to find other ways of coping with your anxiety. Have you gotten any therapy ? I've suffered my entire life, so I totally understand where you're coming from. At least we're living in a time that offers far more help than years past.
LOOK, Have They Not Given You Any "SSRI's" ?* [ These Are Serotonin Management Meds ] > Paxil, Zoloft, Ect...Ect.... These Are Your "Base Meds" For Anxiety. They Can Take Up To 2 to 6 Weeks To Kick In. Then There Are The "Benzos". The Ativan, Xanax, Valium, Ect... Ect... These Are The "Clutch Meds". YES ! They Can Be VERY Addictive. [ IF They Are Abused ] These Drugs Are For The "Panic Attacks" Themselves & Are NOT "Base Anxiety Drugs". These Are Given On An AS NEEDED Basis. They ARE The "Clutch Drug" For The "Adrenaline Dump" During A Anxiety or/ Panic Attack. People Get Addicted To These Meds Because It Eases Their GAD. BUT !* GAD IS NOT What These Meds Were Designed For. THAT Calls For Adjustments Of The SSRI'S. [ those are the the meds designed for General Anxiety Disorders. ] GAD & Anxiety or/ Panic Attacks Are Two DIFFERENT Things. The SSRI's May Distance The Amount Of Anxiety or/ Panic Attacks But They Won't just Stop Them. THAT Is When The BENZOS Are To Be Used. For The "ATTACK ITSELF". You Are No Different Than An ASTHMA Patient. [ yours happens in the brain & theirs happens in the respiratory area ]
Now, Asthma Patients Take A Pill & Carry An Emergency Inhaler. In Your Case ? A SSRI Is Your Daily Pill & Your BENZO Is Your Emergency Inhaler So To Speak. If You Use The Benzo In An Emergency [ panic attack only ], Your Chances Of A Heavy "Addiction" Is FAR LOWER.
You'll Be Fine & You Are Just As Normal As An Asthma Patient. Your Symptoms Are Just As Real.... [ sometimes you can carry a benzo around in your pocket, and just "knowing" you have an emergency outlet can actually reduce some anxiety attacks ]
Go To A Psychiatrist... [ or get another one ] A "GP" Does NOT Have The Education To Make Psychiatric Decisions or/ Calls !* NEVER Let A Regular Medical Doctor "PLAY" Psychiatrist With You. The "FACT" Is A "Psychiatrist" IS A Medical Doctor & Much Much More ! & FAR More Educated !*
Prayers~*
My doctor is closed minded. I see a therapist who cant prescribe anything he told my gp what i needed and my gp still wont give me the meds i need.
Go To A Psychiatrist... [ or get another one ] A "GP" Does NOT Have The Education To Make Psychiatric Decisions or/ Calls !* NEVER Let A Regular Medical Doctor "PLAY" Psychiatrist With You. The "FACT" Is A "Psychiatrist" IS A Medical Doctor & Much Much More ! & FAR More Educated !*
Lol..no i have 3 separate individuals i see. One is a therapist.one is a PA..and the third is the Phychiatrist..
Problem is they are all through the same agency. The medical ministries. I am looking into another program that i hopewill be more willing to help..and yes..i will take all the prayers i can get.
Sorry, OK. I Thought Because Of No Money & Insurance You Where Seeing a therapist a psychiatrist and gp.... But Had Been Sent To A PA Now For All Your Care... My Bad....
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