newbie here . . .

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2007
newbie here . . .
7
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 1:10pm

Hi, all, I'm new to this anxiety thing - still not sure that's even what it is, but my doctor started me on xanax 0.25 mg up to 3x/day. My symptoms (dizziness, heart palpitations) started about two weeks ago. I think it was triggered by having to suddenly get up in front of a large group, although this is something I've done before with no problem. I'm in my late 40s, still have regular periods, otherwise healthy, but grew up as a shy kid in a very angry and volatile home, married a guy just like dear old dad who perpetutated more anger/abuse, and have had some PTSD kinds of reactions to him even since our divorce 10 years ago. I'm not feeling like the xanax is working yet. I have a follow-up appt. with the doctor this week. Meanwhile I am afraid to drive, or go into a store or restaurant - had another attack in a restaurant after I started the xanax.

Do I need a higher dose? Does xanax work for some? My doctor says he will only give it to me short-term because it's habit-forming. I'll check this out with my doctor (just a family practice guy) but I would welcome any words of advice/encouragement from those of you who understand what I'm going through. I feel all alone . . .

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 1:47pm

Hi! It's nice to see you;) Sorry to hear about the anxiety. Many on this board have developed fears/phobias as the result of traumatic experiences. You are NOT alone. I was unable to drive for 3 years @ one point after the birth of my second dd. Major life changes, health issues, etc. can contribute to anxiety.


The xanax is generally prescibed for short term use. In my experience, it begins helping immediately. However, all meds are just a tool.

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 4:05pm

Hey there...I am on Xanax and it helps me a great deal, and I am actually on the same dosage as you are three times a day, but you might want to talk to your doc about increasing your dose to maybe half a milligram maybe twice a day...Im really little thanks to lots of hormone problems, so i really cant take any more than that. My other advice is to start seeing a therapist or good psychiatrist because they are the experts about all of this stuff and know alot more about meds to help than your regular doctor. my reg doctor would not prescribe the Xanax to me more than once, told me I needed to see a psych and it needed to come from them so that would be your first best step. Also, with everything that I have been through since last summer, I would also see an endocrinologist to make sure you are not hypoglycemic (i am, and it causes alot of the same symptoms as anxiety attacks) and get your hormones tested ESPECIALLY your thyroid and adrenal glands. I have problems with both, which adds to the anxiety, and I found a wonderful naturopath doctor (my body is very sensitive to medications) and she has worked out nutritional and natural things to help me along with taking the xanax, and slowly but surely I am getting much better. But most doctors don't pay that much attention to adrenal gland problems, and they are very serious...I have done a lot of reasearch on it online so its def worth getting checked out. But find a good psych doc and explore different meds if they think its necessary, and def get your thyroid and stuff checked. I know some other people I have talked to are on something called Klonopin, and it helps them alot, Xanax has been the only thing I have been able to tolerate but the best thing to do is talk about it with a psychiatrist...lots of times its trial and error to find out what works best for you!! I hope this has helped...and do not feel alone we are here to help and support...I know all too well to feel like you are alone and "freakish" because of this and you are not...the most important thing is to get help, do alot of research and get all the testing you can so you can be at your healthiest!! We do chats on tues and thurs nights so come on in and chat with us too!! It helps alot...its from 9 pm to 11 pm....but set up these tests, and find some good docs, and keep us posted!! lots of luv, hugs and support....

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2006
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 6:24pm
Hi there! So sorry you are having this icky problem, its so frustrating I know!! I agree with alot of what Krista said in her post. You should talk to a therapist and see if you can get to the root of all this. It has helped me tremendously and I have only had 3 sessions so far. I took Xanax 3yrs ago and it does help for those bouts of panic but my MD at the time made a statement that using just Xanax for anxiety is like turning up the music in your car when the car starts making wierd noises. It will help, but it isn't going to make it go away. The anti-depressants will go a long way towards helping get rid of the anxiety, but they can take a while to work so you really want to try to see a therapist also. When and if you call around to find someone, ask in the initial phone call if the therapist can prescribe medicine. I see a psychologist and she can't do prescriptions. Of course that doesn't mean they can't work in conjunction with your regular Doc also to get you the meds that way but its probably easier if you see someone who can get you the treatment you need and has the knowledge to do so. My NP is great about working with my therapist, but I live in a small town and they all know each other and refer patients. That may not be the case where you live. I agree that you might want to have a yearly blood work-up just to see where you are at health-wise also. I really hope you find a solution hon, keep your chin up, I know it is the most horrible thing to feel this way and not have control but it DOES get better, I promise you!! Hang in there and come back to post when you can!! Hugs, Erin
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 11:20pm

hi there.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2007
Tue, 02-20-2007 - 11:22am

Thanks to everyone who posted to my newbie message. Your input is very helpful, and I can tell this is a great board! I just went for more blood work this morning, and have another appt. with the doctor later this week. I'm feeling a bit better, just shaky and anxious and not having the major heart-pounding and dizziness. So maybe the xanax is taking the edge off. I still feel it is anxiety, but we haven't ruled out everything else yet.

All my blood tests came back fine except for glucose was a bit high, so we repeated a fasting glucose today. Hormones, thyroid, iron, kidney, liver function, all great. They did a pregnancy test, which I found very amusing at my age, although I am still fertile. :)

I had not heard of the klonopin (?) until this board. I like my doctor and trust his recommendations, but I know it's hit or miss with Rxs and we'll have to trade in the xanax for something else. I had done some therapy work 8-12 years ago to figure out all my ACOA stuff, and thought I had a handle on that, but maybe this is anxiety that I've had all along and just tried to ignore and now it's grabbing my attention this time.

I did get out last night to sit with some girlfriends and talk, and was able to go out to breakfast with my dh this morning with no dizziness or anxiety, so that was big. Not driving yet, but I'm trying to stay positive and let myself try to take some steps toward conquering whatever this is.

You're all very warm and caring, and thanks for your concern. I'll try to pop in on a chat, too.

:) AJ

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 02-20-2007 - 5:33pm

Hi & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 02-20-2007 - 5:37pm

Hi AJ, I was happy to read this post & hear that you had gone out with friends, that is soooo important!

Sheri Ann