Answer/Reply:

I don't have any information as far as switching to xanax or not because of its addictive behaviours. I would however either try to get your doctor to discuss in more detail why he refuses to switch to xanax or even something different. If he will not I would look into getting a second opinion. Are you seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist? You have had alot of trauma and they may know better treatment options for you especially since the Klonopin is not working any longer. Good luck! and God Bless

35 year old Female

Posted: 2009-03-20 14:11:50

Answer/Reply:

I am a 40 year old female and I work in the Medical/Mental Health field as a Social Worker. So, that being said as I understand you are also a nurse. It took me years to admit that I have anxiety and now being 40, it has taken its form in back pain, neck and shoulder tension, as well as increased headaches. I had some major issues going on in our family for the last year, that I cant believe we are still in one piece. I started going to a counselor, who I really do trust, and he pushed me to see a psychiatrist about medications. I am stubborn and I refused for a while (while only adding more stress and anxiety to myself) and finally caved. It is difficult for a woman to get this help as I think actually we are the ones who "hold the family together" and make sure everyone else is taken care of. It is even worse when you are a Social worker in the helping field and even have to CONSIDER those "kind of meds." Anyways long story short. I have used Xanax 3 times a day for about one year. Which is about how long the increased crises and stress has been ocurring in our home. I also take Lexapro in combination with the Xanax and I feel managed. I too was warned that it can be addictive and we eventually "wean" me off. I have never been on Klonopin so I dont know how it compares to Xanax. You definately have PTSD and I think you may need to remain on something (I am no doc but I have learned enough abt them and things that work for the actual people) and I did used to see patients in the ER that have been on the same meds for so many years, I think your body does build up a tolerance and things need to be switched. I rarely even see people on Klonopin anymore. One question I have is; is it a regular Primary Care Doctor or is is a Psychiatrist? I went straight for the Psychiatrist and he seemed to be more workable and understanding of the medications. I hope you find this helpful.....

41 year old Female

Posted: 2009-03-21 11:24:17

Answer/Reply:

Dear 53,

I am 55 and took Xanax several years ago and it worked and I did not get addicted. I now live in
Tennessee and have had several doctors and still cannot get Xanax. THANKS TO ALL OF THE
DRUG ADDICTS and DRUG DEALERS in our area. I am about to change to another doctor and I think that you
might do this also. There must be a couple of doctors out there that understand us and can
believe that we are not addicts nor sellers.

56 year old Female

Posted: 2009-04-27 21:05:02

Answer/Reply:

I am a 62 year old female and am also an RN. I have suffered from unipolar disorder and anxiety most of my life. 18 years ago my mother died and I suffered an exacerbation of depression and anxiety. My psychiatrist was very willing to work with me and tried combinations of most psychotropic drugs that were available at the time. Finally, the combination of 1 mg of ativan and 200 mg of carbamazapine seemed to do the trick. I have not suffered an episode of depression since being on this combo. I have learned that I can run out of ativan and have problems sleeping but I dare not run out of carbamazepine. Within 36 hours of not having the small maintenance dose of 200mg I will have a severe anxiety attack that is totally debilitating. Within an hour of resuming the carbamazepine the anxiety attack diminishes quickly. I take the two drugs together at HS. I don't like the fact that I am dependant on the carbamazepine but the relief I get after so many years of the affliction is well worth having to take it for the rest of my life. Just to reassure those who are taking carbamazepine...200mg is a very tiny dose and causes no other side effects other than the one I have noted above IE do not stop taking abruptly.

63 year old Female

Posted: 2009-04-29 08:52:35

Answer/Reply:

If you read up on Klonipin it says it is less addictive than Xanax, I have taken both, I do find the side effects of not taking the Klonipin much less than when I took Xanax years ago.
The thing is, even if your doctor were to switch you to the Xanax you would still need more as time went on because your body gets used to it. If I were you I would up the Klonipin, since he is willing to do that for you and not switch to the Xanax. Xanax comes on quicker, but also does not last as long. My father has been on Xanax for about 10 years for anxiety and now it basically does nothing for him.

67 year old Male

Posted: 2009-05-03 08:30:13

Answer/Reply:

I took my paxil in the mornings and it was the problem to my tiredness so I would suggest to take in the evening before bed.

50 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-27 20:01:17

Answer/Reply:

My dad took both together for awhile and was OK. Your other option is to split the Xanax in half, take half in the morning with the Paxil and the other half at night. I just think that if you are taking Xanax for anxiety, taking it before bed may help you sleep but it will not help you with anxiety during the day, it is almost like not taking it, unless you are on extended release.

67 year old Male

Posted: 2009-05-03 08:33:06

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Hi! I was just wondering if you think that your Lupus is partly why you have a hard time walking too? My father has Lupus and is boarder line diabetic and walking is one of the hardest thing for him to do. The Doctors say it is because of the Lupus. Could it be a combination of the two diseases causing the problem? I feel so bad for you may God be with you always!

Posted: 2008-12-11 08:46:00

Answer/Reply:

I have just been diagnosed with neuropathy, peripheral and autonomic. I wish there was some way we could talk together to talk about our treatments and just cht together,

52 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-17 12:02:34

Answer/Reply:

HI THERE,
I'M A 37 YEAR OLD FEMALE, WITH SEVER PANIC/ANXIETY DISORDER. DO YOU THINK TAKING THE ZOLOFT IS LESSENING YOUR ATTACKS?? I HAVE TRIED, BRIEFLY, PAXIL, ZOLOFT AND PROZAC, BUT I NOTICED I WAS GETTING HEADACHES DURING THE DAY SO I STOPPED TAKING THEM. THE DR'S TOLD ME THAT I HADN'T TAKEN THE MEDICINE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP ME. SO I'M TRYING TO WEIGH MY CHOICES...IF THE HEADACHES ARE WORTH NOT HAVING THE ATTACK ALL THE TIME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW IT HAS HELPED YOU. CURRENTLY I ONLY TAKE XANAX AS NEEDED FOR THE ATTACKS. NOT DAILY OR ANYTHING. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

MICHELLE V
ANAHEIM, CA

39 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-04 12:04:36

Answer/Reply:

I carry a .50 alprazolam in my wallet. I put one half of this under my tongue when that panicky feeling starts. It works fast. There are two opinions about these calming drugs. First, take them all the time, three doses a day. Second, keep them in reserve for taking as needed. I go strongly for the second. If I go for the first I get bad reactions

82 year old Male

Posted: 2008-12-08 16:08:56

Answer/Reply:

Thanks for the info of putting a bezdiazapine drug under your tougue for anxiety. have been on klonopin for over 10 yrs. it has greatly helped .but unfortunately ,you have to wait for the drug to work. will try putting it under my tongue ,when i have severe attacks. i do hope some day they find a cure.

48 year old Male

Posted: 2008-12-16 19:47:18

Answer/Reply:

I am 26 and take Effexor XR and Klonopin. I am doing very well now on the current combination that my doctor has prescribed for me. I've been on this awhile now and I think with all medications there will still be the occasional anxiety attack. They are called break thru attacks and still happen to me and I think everyone occasionally even when our condition is well managed. Headaches can be associated with the start of a new medication but I wouldn't think it should disrupt your day. I've not ever had that and I've taken Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, and several others. You might talk to your doctor about the Klonopin. It's an anti-seizure medication but it's been proven to work well for panic disorder. I take only a very small dose in comparison to someone on it for seizures, but if I feel overly anxious or fell an attack coming on I can take and extra .5mg tablet and it will be gone within 10-15minutes. It also helps with headaches. I have migraines and this medication and other anti-seziure meds help with that. If I can be of any further assistance my email address is mdhall08@bellsouth.net !

Danielle

27 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-17 14:07:00

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

i,also have severe panic disorder,depression,some ocd, i am on a regimine of lamical,cymbalta and clonazepam,with xanax used only as a rescue drug,to keep me from going to e.r. this combination has relieved me of severe panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. just my story, hope it helps someone

Posted: 2008-12-24 11:11:41

Answer/Reply:

Is COUMADIN a dangerous medicine to take for any length of time? It is a good thing for blood clots and to keep the blood flowing, but how long is it safe to take?

Age: 74 Gender: Female

76 year old Female

Posted: 2008-07-15 19:28:25

Answer/Reply:

Are you aware of the many programs for the blind, these organizations can provide you with help in the day to care of your husband. I know that sounds easier than done, we all have pride ! Have you tried contacting the manufacturer of the medications you take, they have programs you might could qualify for to receive your medications at no cost to you. I had to do that before I received my medicare insurance card. You sound very busy but you would be surprised what a few phone calls can do for you there are kind people at these organizations who are very willing to help, all you need to do is reach out. It took me so long to swallow my pride and ask for help. I lost my job because I got sick with the side effects of undiagnosed diabetes, I filed for disability and was denied the first time, but I appealed and received my benefits.

59 year old Female

Posted: 2008-09-20 10:15:10

Answer/Reply:

Social Security has a list of lawyers that are available to help you get your disability. I am just a layperson, but I read all of the conditions you wrote of and I can see no reason for you not to receive social security disability. Is there an organization helping with the expense of a nurse to change the tube every day, perhaps they have some advise. I sure hope you get some help

59 year old Female

Posted: 2008-09-20 10:01:22

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

You need to keep pushing for your Soc.Sec. It took me 2.5years to get my disability. Look in the phone book for lawyers that deal with Soc.Sec.,A lot of people do not realize that Soc. Sec . denies most claims the first time you apply.,also the lawyer cost is handled by Soc. Sec. I am a 55 year old male who takes 15 prescriptions A DAY,and don't get much relief. Good Luck.

Posted: 2008-09-30 17:46:00

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I am disabled and on disability. I too was denied, but I got a lawyer who agreed to take his fee;s out of my settlement. It took quite a while ( living on $174 a month with a teenage son. When I was approved I received retroactive payment, for the time I had to wait (from the first time applying). I received a check for over $11,000 and that was after the lawyer had taken his fees. There is also a program called "Copes", I don't know if you would qualify, but every year I am interviewed in my home by an R.N., and she collects all the imformation from me and from my doctor and then I am assigned a number of hours for that year. I am able to hire whoever I want or as many as I want to help care for me. I set the hours, giving my help the excact number of hours they have to work. If you don't know anyone to hire, they have people you can hire. If I were you I would start at the welfare office, and any community sources. It was a lot of hard work, finding the right people in the right places, getting HUD housing, medical etc. I did it my self, spent a lot of time at the phone, having fits at the welfare office, asking to talk to a supervisor, waiting in line for HUD housing (which is great). This all started in my late 40"s and I am now 59 and life is good. I too have learned to live in the moment, in the now and look at each as the begining of a new journey. Good luck to you and GOD BLESS

Posted: 2008-11-17 22:06:11

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I AM ALSO ON KLONIPIN FOR GAD(GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER)..ALL MY SYMPTOMS STARTED 3 YEARS AGO WITH VERTIGO AND AFTER EVERY TEST UNDER THE SUN HAS BEEN RAN ON ME FROM MRI'S,CT,EARS NOSE AND THROAT DRS. EVERY KIND OF BLOOD WORK NOTHING SHOWS UP..SO BECAUSE THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING FOR THE VERTIGO THEY JUST ASSUME I AM DEPRESSED AND HAVE ANXIETY WHICH I DO NOW BUT ITS ALL BECAUSE I CANT FIND A REASON FOR THE VERTIGO...I STAY HOME ALL THE TIME CAUSE I CANT REALLY DRIVE. ALWAYS FEEL SICK TO MY STOMACH AND HAVE TRIED EVERY ANTI-DEPRESS. OUT THERE AND THEY ALL MAKE ME SICK...I AM NOW ON DISABILITY ALSO BUT AS TIME GOES ON IT JUST SEEMS I GET WORSE AND HAVE MORE ANXIETY..ITS LIKE A TERRIBLE CYCLE IT JUST KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND NEVER STOPS...IF YOU BELIEVE IN PRAYERS PLEASE SAY ONE FOR ME TODAY FOR ANSWERS OR WISDOM TO UNDERSTAND IT ALL....I WILL BE PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU...WE WILL MOVE ON BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE IN CHRIST...THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS...HANG IN THERE GUYS..KAREN

Posted: 2009-01-05 17:03:56

Answer/Reply:

My heart breaks reading your posting. I'm 54 and started menopause in 2007. Diagnosed as a twenty-something with OCD, I used elavil (old antidepressant) and cognitive behavioral therapy and after 2 years went off medication and have been highly functional for years. Menopause starts and all of a sudden I have SEVERE panic attacks (since under control) and SEVERE anxiety (which still exists). I'm on bio-identical hormones (still adjusting dosage) but take neurontin, remeron and valium for depression/general anxiety disorder. Down to two 5mg valium each day and the neurontin is to break the anxiety cycle. I am better, but it takes time. Talk to your MD about different meds and you described exactly how my anxiety feels. Read the book "The Secret", it has helped me be more positive. You will get better - and so will I. You will be in my thoughts.

55 year old Female

Posted: 2008-05-29 21:10:12

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Thank you for your post. I am now in the middle o a Anxiety disorder and coming off and going on diff. meds is terrible, but i believe you. I have thought stopping it all but I realize that it will work if I give it time!
Thanks

Posted: 2008-10-15 23:05:05

Answer/Reply:

You really have my empathy. I, too, have battled depression for many years.
Anxiety attacks have started to occur with my
DX of Parkinson's also.
You referred to "brain shocks" when going off Lexapro. What are brain shocks exactly? The only shocks I feel occasionally are in the middle of the night, I will get like an electrical shock that goes through my tongue. It wakes me up as it is painful and I actually have a sore spot on my tongue from it. I know it hurts like the dickens and my tongue is sore for several days. I feel like someone has put a live end of an electrical wire on my tongue.
Is this what you mean by brain shocks? Or, if anyone knows, would you please tell me? Thanks so much,

64 year old Female

Posted: 2008-06-05 11:56:39

Answer/Reply:

I have brain shocks when I accidently miss a dose of my Effexor. It happens the next morning to me when I get up everytime I move it kinda feels like I receiving a jolt of electricty thru my body. I don't forget my meds very often as I been on them for years but when I feel this I go check my medicine box and sure enough there's yesterday dose still in there. I immediately take the next scheduled dose and lay down. It goes away as soon as the Effexor gets in my system. About 1 hour or so. I also have taken other medications and felt it. I took Zoloft and had it alittle when I was getting off of it and changing to the Effexor. I was able to work while getting off the Zoloft during those shocks I would feel like I was extremely jumpy and like I was going to fall when I started walking after standing still for awhile, but they would go away if I kept going. Not nearly as severe as the ones I experience on the Effexor. I have had to call into work that I'll be in later as soon as they stop. You can't function thru these.

27 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-17 14:16:56