HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Need help getting anxiety med

Support Forums
>
Bipolar Disorder
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/2/2007 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking lithium for about 5 years now and have needed an anxiety med to go along with the lithium.  Every time I tell my pdoc I need something for anxiety they give me some crap like paxil, effexor,or lexapro. I continue to tell him that these ssri's do not not work for me but he doesn't listen. I have tried xanax and klonopin and they both help alot. He thinks I will abuse them but I have not and will not. I need help convincing him of that. He diagnosed me with BP and at the time(5 years ago) I was drinking alot, but not really that much more than most college students. I am not in college any more and hardly drink at all. any suggestions??
Posted 4/2/2007 6:53 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there WAMT10 ,

Perhaps one way you could "prove yourself" to your pdoc would be to ask them for therapy for your anx.....counselling , CBT etc...so that they would see that you ARE willing to work at helping yourself and that you are not just using the pills to escape.

Take care , I hope it works out for you :-)

Smiler tongue

Posted 4/3/2007 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
WAMT10,

I have tried benzos too and they have helped in the past.  But all my pdocs have been hesitant, some more than others because of the potential addictions they present.

I have also tried some ssri like lexapro, but I ended in worse shape than not being on anything alone.

After years of trying to deal with my escalading anxiety/panic attacks, I am finally on something that helps me.  Right now I am on 30mg of Buspar, and it has worked so much better than benzos.  I especially like it because I am not zonked out or drowsy from them.  Right now I have not had any major side effects that I noticed.  (for the first 2-3 days I felt really sleepy after dosage, but it has gone away since).

But as Smiler said, first try counselling , CBT etc before resorting to meds, then if those don't work then your dr. may not be hesitant to perscribe you something.

I hope you feel better and hang in there.  smurf

Posted 4/9/2007 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
You might want to try being really up front with the doctor.  Simply state what the problem has been for you.  Then tell him that anxiety meds have been the only thing that has helped.  See if he has any suggestions that you think would help.

If you really feel that your psychiatrist is not listening perhaps it is time to get a new one.  Maybe a different doctor will have a new approach to your problems.  You are the one paying for care.  If you are not satisfied with the care you are recieving then look for a new doctor.  It can be surprising in the difference in communication and treatment styles of different psychiatrists.  Maybe ask your general family physician if he/she can give you a referal to a new psychiatrist.

 

Posted 4/9/2007 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
I completely agree with Jade. Those of us who are lucky enough to have long term pdocs, who care and are understanding will listen and respond to pretty much anything within reason. Clonopin is a slippery slope, as you know, but you are the one with the anxiety and panic.

Sad but true, some shrinks are only as good as the drug reps that service them.



Kman
Posted 4/12/2007 3:14 AM (GMT 0)

I appreciate the input from everyone. I have been procrasinating about getting a new pdoc for a while now. He is about 70 years old and gets more out of touch with reality every day. I can not relate to him at all and he doesn't listen to a darn thing I say. I have been putting this off but I am to the point of exhaustion because of this freakin anxiety. I have tolerated his bs for a while but I think I'm gonna tell he to f off and find a new doc. Probably not the right way to leave but it'll make me fell better at least. Thanks everyone you have finnally convinced me to make a move.

wamt10 


Posted 4/12/2007 4:21 PM (GMT 0)

Good for you :-)   there's no point in talking to someone who isn't in touch with you. I wish you all the best - let us know how you go.

Smiler tongue

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply