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Anxiety medications?

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Posted 8/29/2010 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Ok so my daughter has been putting me thru the wringer these past couple years; gotta love those teenagers.  I am feeling like I can no longer handle the anxiety of dealing with her so I am going to make an appointment with my primary to see about some anxiety medications.  This latest go around with my daughter has left my guts in turmoil so I feel I need to do something, anything - I just can't cope anymore sad

What type of anti-anxiety medications do you use and can these be used when you feel the need?  I am not anxious all the time, just when I have issues with her.  Is there a medication like this - where you can take only when needed?  Do they mess with your Uc? Make you feel like a zombie?  Any advice on these types of meds would be a great help to me for when I get in to see my doc.

Posted 8/29/2010 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm experiencing the same issues and my PC wrote me Ativan. I haven't tried it yet but he says it will help quickly in the short term.
Posted 8/29/2010 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
hugs reds, im the same, my daughter is being bullied in school and they return to school in 2 weeks, so the anxiety is back!!!
Posted 8/29/2010 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
I take Lexapro-it is part anti depressant/part anti anxiety. When things get real bad I pop a ativan.
Posted 8/29/2010 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, I will see if my primary will give me Ativan. I have a friend who uses that actually. I probably won't get into see my doc anytime soon but I will call tomorrow for an appointment.
Posted 8/29/2010 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
I take Lexapro for anxiety/depression and Zyprexa. If I can't sleep because of anxiety I take klonopin
Posted 8/29/2010 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
I take klonopin when I feel very anxious. It helps but I don't think it is the best solution for me. I don't take it every day and I do feel tense every day. It may be a good solution for you because you don't have to take it every day, you can just take it when you feel an attack coming on.
Posted 8/29/2010 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I take Xanax if I am having an anxiety attack but, I rarely need it now that I am on Lexapro. Lexapro helps me with depression and lessens my anxiety. I haven't noticed Xanax messing with my UC but I think Lexapro definitely has the potential to. At first Xanax made me feel a little loopy, now I don't get that I just calm down.
Posted 8/29/2010 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have ativan for the same kind of thing - "as needed" issues. I hadn't taken it in ages because of the pain meds in relation to the hip, so recently when I took some I found it made me really tired....
I'm planning on taking some this evening in hope of sleeping better tonight.
My husband took my older son back to college today, and my younger one starts tomorrow.... it's 5:50 pm and he STILL has one more book report to write?!!! Argh, I hope the year shapes up ok......
Posted 8/29/2010 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Xanax for years and it helps me a lot. I take the minimum amount to help me to relax and I like the fact that I don't have to take it everyday unless I need to. I tried Prozac for a couple of months and all it did was make me tired. I didn't feel any differently as far as depression or anxiety issues were concerned. As far as UC problems, I think that Xanax helps me relax and makes things a little better.
Posted 8/29/2010 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I vote for Xanax.  I tried Lexapro and one other but both just made me tired and
loopy at times.  I take 1/2 lowest dose Xanax every 4 to six hours when needed.  As someone said you will know what you need it and it works fairly quickly.  I am very sensitive to any medications so 1/2 dose works for me like 1/2 Imodium does for diarrhea!

ElaineNY

Posted 8/29/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
I take Effexor RX at a low dose 37.5 mg. It helps push me through the tough times. I've used it on and off for situational problems....like right no after being diagnosed with UC and having a bad GI! The only thing is you have to ween off it. You can't stop it cold. I got a bit dizzy in th ebeginning but am fine now. I take it an hour before my Asacol with dinner.

I like it as it give you a chance to work through the situation. It also helps to talk to a conselor so you get to the root of the problem and hopefully get to acceptance. The drug doesn' fix the situation...only we can do that ;).
Posted 8/30/2010 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Teenage kids here too. Try doing the driving lessons and talk to me about anxiety!

Just started on amitriptyline at night. It made me quite drowsy the first few days but dr said to give it at least 2 weeks before deciding. One benefit is it really lessened my joint/back pain (fibromyalgia?). I think I either need a stronger dose or something different as it seems to be losing its effectiveness. Not one you can take occasionally, you have to maintain a certain level.
Posted 8/30/2010 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
I was on lexapro for 7-8 months, it probably helped reduce stress a little but the side effects really bother me personally (foggy feeling, reduced sex drive, fatigue, constipation, plus it really triggers my RLS). But what helps me the most is my klonopin/clonazepam as needed. I take half a 0.50 tablet and within 30 minutes I feel relief. Same family as ativan. The only issue with these benzos is that they're extremely addictive. So it's important to take them on an as-needed basis. Hope that helps and best of luck....
Posted 8/30/2010 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Oh I already know about the driving lessons luv2ride :) I have a 19 year old in addition to my troublesome 15 year old!

Peace&Harmony, so true. We must change the situation but it won't happen if one happens to have an extremely beautiful, stubborn, headstrong, popular, witty, emotional and rebellious 15 year old daughter! :) We already did the counseling bit too btw.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I woke up this morning to a lot of blood and my gut is clenching on me. Passing lots of gas only with blood. So I guess I will be starting my steroid enemas again tonight. It's like a vicious cycle, when I get stressed I flare, when I flare I stress. So I think I am definately in the need for something to help me cope with these things.
Posted 8/30/2010 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 75mg of Effexor XR for 2 years. I'm sure you probably remember my meltdown. I feel amazing on it. I hate that I have to take it but I'd rather feel better and function normally than feel awful.
I think that if you are looking for a "quick fix" for occasional issues stay away from the antidepressants and stick to something like xanax or ativan. Antidepressants like effexor have to be taken long term and are hard to get off of.
I hope your tummy stops giving you grief!!
Posted 8/30/2010 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Ativan is a good med for anxiety, but for me it made me more depressed over a long period (before I was on antidepressants)...the sublingual one is best. I don't remember the dosage I had, but it was fairly low. I could double if I needed...

Hope it works for you Sherry, whatever you take.

q
Posted 8/30/2010 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
I got in to see my doc this morning and we talked for a bit. I am going to call a therapist and set up some appts with her and my doc gave me klonopin .5mg to be split in half. She is going to see me back in a month and she said if I have to take the klonopin everyday then she is going to put me on something a little more long term.
Posted 8/30/2010 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you got in to see your doctor. There is truly nothing worse than being burden by anxieties and not being able to do anything about them!
Posted 8/30/2010 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
That will help....keep us posted how you're doing. Hope you and your daughter can get things worked out.

q
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