Terrified Of New Meds!
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Terrified Of New Meds!
| Sun, 02-11-2007 - 3:27pm |
I've had anxiety and panic attacks since i was a teen.I've learned to control them a great deal,But i still have the occasional bouts of panic attacks.Especially when something stressful happens in my life.I found out two months ago i was pregnant after being on the pill for 8 years.So that was quite the surprise.I almost died while having my son so that brought back some anxiety.But I was adjusting to the news


You came to the right place! Lots of us have been scared the first time we tried a new med. I had a terrible experience with Effexor, and when my doctor switched me to a new anti depressant it was not easy. I was glad to be off Effexor but so scared about trying my new med.
Will your dh sit with you the first time you try it? Or do you have a friend who could? Anyone in the medical profession? Some people on the board have gone to their doctor's office to try a new med.
Wow finding out you were pregnant must have been a shock! I can totally relate to the anxiety about being pregnant. I had twins 6 1/2 years ago - that was a big shock to us too. We had planned on having one more child, not two... LOL They are a blessing though. These "surprises" bring us more joy than we could imagine.
I am the same way, terrified of ALL meds.
Sheri Ann
You definately have hit the right board!! I think the majority of the people who post here have some sort of med phobia and usually it is a result of having and adverse reaction at some point or other. I am totally included in this catagory. My NP has tried to get me to try other anti-depressants for my anxiety and I refused because I had a bad reaction trying to restart on Lexapro (found out later it was because I tried to start on too high a dose right off). Anyway, its always scary and I can tell you from recent experience, ususally if you EXPECT a reaction, you will get SOME sort of one. Like the other post said, you need a safety net your first time out. Someone to sit with you while you take the inhaler, hold your hand, talk to you and take your mind off of it. My brother-in-law has asthma AND anxiety both and he has taken lots of different kinds of inhalers and he is still around! I totally understand your fear. Just think, you only have to try it for the first time ONCE. Then, when it turns out ok, you will be fine. Plus, if they are substituting your old med with this one, it is probably so similar and probably even BETTER than your old one. Nowdays they make "cleaner" meds with less filler stuff so you have LESS side effects. I got that straight from a pharmacist in case you were wondering. Just try to think of it as BETTER than your old Albuteral. And I need to take my own advice here, try to stop looking up the meds for the bad side effects. I am HORRIBLE about this and then after I take it, I analyze every twinge and cough and run back to see if that was listed as a side effect. Please try NOT to do this, it sabotages everthing you are working toward. Just try to see the inhaler as a dose of fresh air that your lungs are waiting to get, all light and airy. Once you pass this first time, you will feel so much better!! I hope this helps, hang in there and let us know how you are doing!! Hugs Erin
I know exactly what you are going through. A lot of my anxiety is fixated on my health. And even though I am usually fine to take medicines that are over the counter or once in a while, I am freaking out right now about starting Zoloft and having to take something regularly that has risk. I am on my fourth day and doing okay, but I keep freaking out thinking that every pain in my head is the zoloft causing a stroke or something. It's a scary feeling and we all know that drugs come with risks, but most of the time the chances are minimal. But I totally know where you're coming from with being afraid, and reading about the negative side effects can send us anxious people into a tailspin. I wish you much luck and hopefully I can be strong along with you!
Hi, Tia! Nice to see you;) Believe me, you are NOT alone. Med fears are rampant with folks who suffer with anxiety.
My inhaler was changed as well. I am thankful that I can do my small part in saving the ozone layer. LOL This is even scarier. I was changed from Warrick albuterol to Pro Air HFA. Can you believe that??? We are like twins:) I can give you reassurance that broncospasm & all that bad stuff you read was listed under the albuterol inhaler, too! This is the nature of this class of medication for asthma. In fact, other than the way the new inhaler is mixed(without the propellant) it is the same old albuterol you took before. If you took the albuterol without trouble, you will be fine with the new. However, you may feel a little anxious the first few times, because it's a change & it's the nature of the anxiety beast;) You will NOT die. Don't focus on bad side effects. Focus on all the good effects this medication will give you.
We are here to support you in any way we can. Join us in chats. Don't be a stranger. We care & know that you'll overcome this setback. GL&GBU! (((hugs))) jan
Edited to add: I take Advair Diskus too. 100/50. Do you take it, Tia?
I usually take half the dose the first time if I am feeling scared. Release the trigger in your inhaler and take in just a tiny puff. After 20 minutes when you see that you are still ok take your regularily prescribed dose. Is it still albuterol? They won't change the chemical composition of the albuterol.
Good Luck
Annie
Thanks girls!
TIA=Thanks in advance..lol My name is Mandy sorry about that.
I had my doctor call in another refill and went to another pharmacy and i got an old warrick inhaler because i was so sick for days just thinking about this switch to the pro air hfa.I feel like my medicine was takin away to breath and it terrifies me.I know i'm going to have to switch sometime though.It has really helped me reading your replies and i'm so glad to have found this board.