Two anxiety meds?
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| Tue, 01-31-2006 - 9:19pm |
I don't post here too often, but I have a question today. About two weeks ago, I began having breathing difficulties. Since I have asthma that can turn severe at the drop of a hat, it's often difficult to discern what the cause is since my asthma is OFTEN Atypical. When this began, my doc had left the clinic, so I'm seeing a new doc. She is VERY thorough, reading past records and tests that have been done. Because there was question about the reason, anxiety or asthma or something else altogether, she put me on Buspar in addition to the Seroquel that I was already taking for mood swings and anxiety. Is this the norm?
I saw her again today. My D-Dimer (sp?) was high... AGAIN. This means that there is the possibility of an embolism. I have been through this every year for the past three years, this being #4. She saw the records showing that. My breathing is much better. Because I'm allergic to the injectable iodine that they use for CT scans, they decided to do an ultrasound of my legs tomorrow morning. WHEE! GRRRRRRRR In the mean time, she is keeping me on the Buspar. I don't know that I really need it.
Suggestions? Comments?



To the best of my knowledge, Steph, seroquel is not classified as a med for anxiety. Here's what the PDR site says about meds. Click on the link @ the end for more info. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan
The Best Remedies for Anxiety
Lasting relief from an anxiety disorder usually requires a dual approach—medication to bring the symptoms under control, and psychotherapy to return underlying thought patterns to normal.
Medication
Though not a cure, medications are definitely effective in relieving symptoms and helping individuals control relentless and overwhelming anxiety. Medications can help resolve such physical symptoms as a pounding heart and shortness of breath, and give people a greater sense of control. Antianxiety drugs frequently reduce symptoms enough to allow people to cope on their own or derive more benefit from psychotherapy. Several types of medication are now available for treating anxiety, including various types of tranquilizers and several of the so-called antidepressant drugs.
Benzodiazepines—the class of drugs that includes chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium)—have been around for decades, but still play a front-line role in the treatment of anxiety. Unfortunately, these medications can produce dependency, and should be taken only for short periods of time. Currently the leading anxiety medication is alprazolam (Xanax), a potent benzodiazepine that has proven effective in relieving anxiety disorders complicated by depression. Xanax can help control anxiety until antidepressant medication takes effect, and is especially beneficial for people who have had an increase of anxiety symptoms caused by an antidepressant. Xanax is also one of the drugs approved for the treatment of panic disorders. Though it works more quickly than antidepressants, it is rarely the first choice of psychiatrists due to its high potential for dependency. Possible side effects of Xanax and other benzodiazepines include drowsiness, poor coordination, muscular weakness, and impaired memory and concentration. Due to the danger of acute withdrawal symptoms, you should never attempt to discontinue Xanax or any of the other benzodiazepines without your doctor's advice.
Buspirone (BuSpar), a newer anxiety medication, has several advantages over the benzodiazepines. It has little potential for dependency and isn't likely to cause drowsiness or impair coordination or memory as benzodiazepines may do. However, BuSpar takes much longer to provide relief. Potential side effects include insomnia, nervousness, light-headedness, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.
Serotonin boosters, such as clomipramine (Anafranil), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), are now standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. These drugs, many of which are also used for depression, are believed to work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. This natural chemical messenger helps regulate mood and alertness. The serotonin boosters effectively reduce the uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors that interfere with the victim's life. They usually need 4 weeks or more to take full effect.
Some of these medications have been approved for treatment of other anxiety disorders as well. Paxil and Zoloft are prescribed for panic disorder, and Paxil is also used to relieve social anxiety disorder. When the drugs are prescribed for anxiety disorders, dosage typically starts low and is gradually increased. The medications usually must be taken on a regular basis, with treatment lasting 6 months to a year. Though all the drugs have side effects, they usually become tolerable or disappear over time. If side effects are a problem, the doctor may advise waiting a couple of weeks or more before trying a different medication. At the end of treatment, dosage is gradually reduced.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/content/lifelong_health/chapters/fgac26.shtml
Hi, Steph! How's tricks? LOL I was wondering how your tests came out? It would be great if you gave us an update. Also, since you posted, other meds such as risperdal have been discussed & I was hoping that you read those threads. Don't be a stranger:)
Also, our local school district voted to remove themselves from the unit that had operated the classes for special needs students for many years. It's supposed to save the district a bundle. However, is our district prepared for teaching these kids out of their regular budget? Do they even know what they're doing for goodness sakes? I think not. Just wondering(since my Meg is 29 now & out of the school system) if you had anything to share on advocacy. Websites, anything? I may go back into the advocacy end, as I think these parents are going to need it. TIA (((hugs))) jan
I'm anemic. Does that count for anything? LOL That's all the tests showed. With time and trial, I was able to figure out that it does seem to be when I take more than 300mg. of Seroquel.
The type of advocacy that you would want to be involved with concerning this kind of crack-pot thing is political advocacy, much different than what I do. :) However, if you do want to get into that, I would suggest that you call the agency for Developmental Disabled that is nearest you. They can help you out.
Jan, I found that so informative!
Sheri Ann