feel like a drug addict

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
feel like a drug addict
8
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 10:13am

I am embarrassed going to the pharmacy to pick my meds. Especially Xanax. And I'm having an especially hard time with my anxiety/panic right now and using more Xanax than usual. (I'm switching meds on top of everything else.) I had to refill my Xanax after only 7 days. I hate feeling this way!!! I just know they think I'm just some drug addict. I'd rather be thought of as crazy I think. What a crappy week. And now I have the tears flowing non-stop. I'm not usually one to get depressed but this anxiety disorder crap is for the birds. Augh! Any Happy tips????

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 11:01am

hey laura...i must have misunderstood your last post...i know what you mean about feeling like a drug addict when you pick up xanax...i sometimes feel the same why, but hey, who cares what the pharm thinks! and if the are a good pharm, then they understand anxiety and shouldn't be judgemental...


do you take any other meds besides xanax? is there anything specific going on in your life thats causing you anxiety?


please keep us updated

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 11:37am
Hey Laura - I agree with Heather, they shouldn't be judgemental at all - or atleast I'd hope not!! But I do understand about being embarassed to go to the pharmacy sometimes, so I can relate to how you are feeling! *hugz* Try not to think too much into it, it's not like you
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 1:04pm

Yes, I do have added stress right now. My son just started high school and he is still nervous about it. I just started a job too and haven't really worked in a structured professional environment in ages. The big thing though is I'm having horrid chest pain and they haven't figured out what it is. It doesn't look heart related at all which is good. I worry excessivly I will die leaving my son who I am very very close to. Then I worry I'm too close to him and have made him too dependent on me. I just worry way way too much. I'm scared about the whole chest thing. REally scared.

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 1:15pm

Please don't feel like a drug addict, you are in pain and you need the meds to help you through this.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-1998
Thu, 08-31-2006 - 6:10pm

Hey Laura! Sorry, I should have read this post before replying to your last one! Sorry you are having a rough time. I know what you mean about the pharmacy. I get my prescriptions filled at Target, and I used to work there parttime so I know the pharmacist. So I felt really self-conscious filling my Lexapro prescription, knowing that she would know what it was for. But I think it shows strength when you know you need to take a med to be a better person. There is no shame in that. I think about all the people you meet out there (my mom included!) that should be on some kind of medicine for a psychological condition and are not. I also try to compare it with my medicine I take for my thyroid disorder-- it is something I need to correct a problem with my body.

In regards to the chest pain-- have they checked your gall bladder? When I had 2 gall bladder attacks in 2001, I felt like I was having a heart attack. My gall bladder was full of stones and had to be removed. Just something to check-- I never knew that the gall bladder could cause chest pain. I hope that they figure it out soon.
Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 6:51am

My Xanax is perscribed for .25mg once every 8 hours as needed. Well, I'm needing anywhere from 1 to 3 tablets at a time right now. Yesterday I took 3 tablets in the AM and then was good until late evening and then I needed 2. This morning I've already had to take 3. I think that is going to do it for now. I woke up panicy. I tried deep breathing first for about 15 minutes but didn't help. I'm out of practice. I was thinking about calling the doc tomorrow and asking for an increase in the Xanax dosage until the Cymbalta has had time to start working. I just started it yesterday. Isn't it like most anxiety drugs and takes a while to start working? I used to be able to take a 1/2 a .25mg of Xanax and it would help but I've had such a hard time over the last few months it just isn't working at that low of a dose. That really bothers me. I really hope the Cymbalta will help me so I can stop or at least take way less Xanax. I always worry I have a problem with Xanax when I get bad and have to take more of it. I'm going through my regular doc for all of the meds right now. Maybe I need to go back to the psychiatrist. She was much more informative. Unfortunatly she lives 3 hours away.

Thanks for all the help!

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 7:03am

Laura, please call your doctor and tell her it's not working at that dose.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 7:07am

Thanks! They are thinking my chest pain is an arthritic problem (Costachondritis) or musuloskeletal because when he pressed on my sternum along the sides of it, it hurt. I started some meds for it. Keeping my fingers crossed. I will keep the gall bladder thing in mind though!

Laura