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Meds for stress/anxiety relief?

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Posted 12/20/2015 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
The company I work for has been bought out. Monday is our last official day of work but there are 3 possibilities:
1) we will be offered a position with the new company -- this would require a move because it's too far to commute
2) we will be asked to stay for a few months (not past April) to complete current projects and transition operations to the new owner. This employment would be through a temp agency. We would get our current salary, but no benefits
3) We will need to immediately sign up for unemployment benefits

This is an extremely stressful situation, Our current insurance ends at the end of the month. My current company said they will pay the first month of COBRA and the new owners said they will pay 65% of the COBRA if we are working the transition. I don't really want to move, but for a good opportunity I am open to discuss. My biggest worry is the temp agency. I have been hearing bad stories about being locked in with them and if you miss a day of work or turn down an assignment that you feel is unsuitable that they can deem that a refusal to work and then we would be unable to collect unemployment insurance.

I am rambling. I called my PCP on Thursday and asked for something mild to help get me through this difficult time because I am so afraid all the stress could trigger a flare. He prescribed Ativan. It definitely relaxes me, but I get very drowsy & fall asleep. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I want something that will help me to relax so I am not so anxious, but it should be mild, non addictive and won't mess with my current meds.

I am a big believer of meditation and yoga for relaxation. They aren't cutting it right now. MY head is spinning with worries and I get teary eyed and fear of losing everything I have worked a life time for is constantly playing in my mind. I can't even think about the holidays at all.

Suggestions?
Posted 12/20/2015 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
What dosage of the Ativan are you taking ? Can you take a smaller dose ?
Posted 12/20/2015 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
If you are asking opinions about your choices then based on your information #2 seems a poor choice. For only a few months employment you face negative possibilities of losing unemployment benefits.

Are there any employment counselors you could talk to to tell you what your legal rights are? If it were me I'd pay for information not given by the company but by a well informed professional.

Health benefits would be at the top of my list to investigate your legal rights.
Choosing between #1 and #3 seems too abrupt. Don't they have to give some type of notice? Or do you get no notice of either being kept on or signing up for unemployment?

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this at the end of the year. It might turn out to be good to change jobs or move but that result is in the future. Just take it one day at a time, don't project everything turning out badly. The good news is that the economy is better now than in many years so getting a job is a bit easier than before.

Best wishes.
Posted 12/20/2015 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
If you aren't on antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds now then I would be reluctant to start. You don't know how you would react, with brain fog or something, when you need to be clear headed for important decisions ahead of you.

Option 1 sounds good to me. Keep your present house but get a temporary apt near where your job will relocate. That way you can keep your salary and bennies while you search for a new job near your present home.

With options 2 & 3 you will have to eventually look for a new job anyway. That is even more stress than moving. You are already 56 years old, if you wait too long to find a new job some prospective employers might think you are unemployable.

Besides you may end up liking the new area you moved to so you can stop searching for a job near your present home.

Post Edited (Coffeemate) : 12/20/2015 11:58:32 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/20/2015 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am om 1 mg of ativan. I took just a half of one this AM but that didn't seem to do anything. I just took a whole one 2 hours ago and so far I am still awake and not as shakey so that's a good thing. I hate having to take meds for this. Actually would prefer some mmj but since that's not legal here I can't because it would show up in pre-employment drug tests

This is happening too fast to be able to talk to any employment counselor to find out the best option. I will make some calls from the office tomorrow and see what I can find out. We're supposed to get our packets of info in the afternoon.

Insurance is my number 1 concern and was I relieved that they are paying the 1st month COBRA. That at least will give me a month to find something.

This is an employment at will state so employers can do pretty much whatever they want unless you are covered by a contact (I'm not).

I would have to have a really good salary in order to keep my house while living and working somewhere else. Have my doubts that they are going to offer anyone that kind of money. But that doesn't mean I am not keping my eyes open for other opportunities

I was looking for suggestions for a mild anxiety med that will let me think clearly. Right now I feel pretty much shell shocked and just need to be able to stop my head from spinning from one doom & gloom scenario to another. I don't so much want an anti depressant as I was something that can help keep me even so the stress doesn't do any internal damage.

Thanks for your good thoughts! I need 'em!!
Posted 12/20/2015 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
One more thing ... we don't have a choice as to which option is going to be given to us. I don't even know which to hope for because they all have their drawbacks.
Posted 12/20/2015 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I don't have any experience with anti-anxiety meds.
Faced with your situation I'd be getting some meds too.
There was one suggested a while back that actually helped UC symptoms in addition to anxiety. I'll try and remember the name.
Posted 12/20/2015 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I've never been prescribed ativan nor was my son who had been put on everything under the sun. When I lost him, I asked for something to help on the days I just needed my mind to stop going and going and going. I was given xanax. It does help but the prescribed dose makes me tired (I mostly take it at night when I can't get my mind to shut off so that is a non issue for me) but a half a dose took the edge off at least.
Posted 12/20/2015 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Wellbutrin is the antidepressant with anti-tnf properties (and it is one antidepressant that doesn't kill your sex drive). But it could put you in danger of seizures.


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Posted 12/20/2015 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken klonopin for anxiety and it made me very tired. It did help to get my mind off the constant negative thoughts a bit. I, personally, wouldn't have much luck with pills treating the situation. I am sorry but the situation is a difficult one and it needs to be confronted head-on. I agree with ima, even if you have to pay a professional to find out your rights, it might be worth it. One month of coverage will be helpful. There is always Obamacare if you are stuck, those plans range from about 100-600 and some of them are not bad (the 600$ ones). That could be a lot cheaper than COBRA in some cases. You should look into that to help ease your mind. Maybe find out about the new opportunities. How far is too far? Would they be open to letting you work at home 1 or 2 days a week? Would the commute be worth it if that were an option? Maybe moving isn't a bad idea. I think you need to come to terms with the options. There is not a lot of time to get counseling but that could be helpful when working through dark times. Of course, an anti-anxiety med can be helpful but it's not going to get to the root of the stress. mmj tends to make me more nervous and paranoid. Then other strains make me tired and unmotivated. Last thing I need when looking for employment. It's nice to think it's the answer, but often, it's not. shakehead
Posted 12/21/2015 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Well it's not a med but I've found learning how to stomach breathe is amazing and always helps.

You put your hand on your stomach and make sure when you breathe your stomach moves and not your chest. This deep breathing is really relaxing the more you practice.

So whenever you are in a stressful mindset, concentrate on your stomach breathing. The mind moves around a lot but keep bringing your concentration to watching your stomach breathing. It's pretty amazing if you ask me.

Good luck.
Posted 12/22/2015 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
That trick really helps, arizonahiker. I've used it many times. The trick is to remember to do it lol.

This situation is so continuous and overwhelming deep breaths aren't enough right now. I sent another message to my dr this AM to see if I can get something different. Ativan makes me sleep when I take a whole pill and a half doesn't do anything. Will see what he comes up with.

I was given option 3 yesterday so I am now jobless :( The only other time I was jobless was when I was in my 20s! I don't like it. I was good at what I did (production manager/print buyer for a book publisher) and I loved it.

I lost it this AM when I was talking to an insurance agent who helped my sister with medicare supplemental insurance. He was really a jerk. When did it become ok to just interject politics into business interactions? After I had had enough I just lost it on him. He really had me upset! I hate when people start talking politics (either side) when you have no idea what the other person believes. Politics should never be discussed in business (or anywhere for that matter) unless you are absolutely sure the person shares your point of view.

Anyway ... I will not talk politics here either. I know everyone has different beliefs and I respect that. Hope what I just said didn't cross the line on this forum!

I wasn't given a packet of information yesterday and finally just got an email saying that the COBRA info should be in the mail this week. Does anyone know how that works? I am going to bite the bullet and take a month of it (I am supposed to get reimbursed) so that I have time to evaluate all the plans on Healthcare.gov. So far everything I looked at DOES cover Ascol HD so that was a relief. I don't like the prices but at least I can stay on the med that works for me.

Someone had posted here a little while ago saying that none of the Obamacare plans cover Asacol. But I wonder if they were looking at the actual plans or just using the little look up box that is supposed to find plans that cover meds or doctors. That box doesn't work (it says it's in beta testing) . When I used that it said no plans covered Asacol, but when I looked at the formularies of the individual plans many DO cover it. If you are shopping on the exchange, look at each plan's formulary to see what they cover.
Posted 12/22/2015 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry you got bad news at such a time.
I know nothing about COBRA but please check to make sure you will be eligible to choose a different health plan after Jan 1.

I just had to switch health insurance company because mine no longer insures in my state. Dec 31 was my deadline (along with millions of other people) to choose a health insurance company and I cannot change insurers now until next fall.

You are new to this (providing your own insurance) so you need to see what the rules are.
Posted 12/22/2015 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
one word = that really SUCKS !

sad

Hang in there CC -
Posted 12/22/2015 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear they ended up laying you off. Cobra is crazy expensive, glad they're paying 65 percent for the first month (my brother pays $1,400-1,600 a month for a plan for he and his wife). I'd get on an insurance plan from the exchange when you can. The health exchanges vary for every state in the US; not easily comparable, same goes for the medication formularies list. When in doubt, call the insurer and ask. They're essentially private insurance plans that must meet minimum federal guidelines and apply to your state's laws as well. The cheapest monthly plan costs the least in monthly premium but most out of pocket cost. More expensive plans have lower out of pocket costs. You'll have to calculate which makes the most sense with your medication and expected doctors visits.
Posted 12/23/2015 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
OH, man! That sucks so much! Sorry you're going through this.

Regarding your question about anti anxiety meds: I was on amitriptyline (elavil) for anxiety. I was on a very low dosage of 25mg/day, I felt it took the edge of. I never increased the dosage so I'm not sure if it would have made me anxiety free... But at 25mg I had no side effects and did notice some relief. The downside is it's needed every day and not just in time of high anxiety. I recently tapered off it with no adverse effects either.

Hope you find something that helps.
Posted 12/24/2015 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tip about COBRA, imagardener. I checked and if I take the COBRA I would still need to switch to a different plan before the end of open enrollment (1/31/16) or I would have to stay with it until I get a new job or get a plan without the Obamacare subsidies. Insurance is way too expensive without the subsidies. Since I don't know how long I will be out of work, I had to guess at my income for next year and guessed low for now. I can change it later when I can get a better handle on things and hopefully will be able to afford the increase in premiums. One thing I found out is that there is a difference of only about $300 income from being eligible for around a $200 subsidy and no subsidy at all. Makes no sense!

I spent many hours comparing plans on the exchange and even with spread sheets to analyze everything I can't figure out what the best plan is for me. On the help link on the healthcare.gov site it had a list of brokers in my area that can help to sort it all out. I have an appointment with one on Monday. He said there is no charge and it won't affect my premiums. He said the brokers are paid from a pool of money that all of the companies on the exchange pay into. Nice to know there is help available. There's so many variables with all of the policies! This is a strange new world for me. Can't say that I particularly like it!

I asked my dr to prescribe something different since Ativan mainly works as a great sleeping pill for me, but doesn't do what I really need. I now have Xanax. I took one yesterday after getting so frustrated with trying to find insurance. Seemed to work just as I wanted ... I didn't feel anything except calmer! I am only planning to use it when I feel really stressed. It's been 2 years ago since my symptoms first started and now that I am in remission I don't want to risk a stressed induced fare -- it took me too long to get well!

Thanks for all of your well wishes. And I hope all of you have a great Christmas & holiday season!!
Posted 12/24/2015 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you have time to figure out your insurance options and great that you found a good anti-anxiety med. Unemployment+holidays+finding new insurance would put anyone up the wall.Hope your insurance counselor is on the ball, my husband got a good one to navigate Medicare and insurance supplement choices when he hit that age a couple years ago.
Posted 12/25/2015 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
I think you have to put your health first at this point. Drop the materialistic aspect completely. Take a year off the wheel. Learn relaxation techniques. Accept the financial help that is out there for you. Protecting or defending material goods you have acquired is detrimental towards your spiritual and physical healing. Let some things go from your life....including your job....wait until you've acquired the healing powers and spiritual strength before you revisit the competitive workplace. You are already mature in years, don't let this interlude take your health totally down, which it most assuredly could. Make sure you're getting your D, magnesium and possibly B-12. Sometimes the universe sends us nudges to evolve. Best.
Posted 12/26/2015 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not all that materialistic. But I do love my home ... it's not big or fancy -- just a little house in the woods where I can let nature feed my spirit. My mortgage is less than what most people pay in rent. I didn't work in book publishing because I wanted to make a lot of money lol. I did it because I love books! As I have been talking with friends and family since I lost my job it has become clear that everyone seems to think I live a more extravagant life than I ever have. There is absolutely no way I can take a year off work and be able to afford health insurance so I can afford medication so that I keep feeling as healthy as I do now (though with all the meds I take some could argue it's just a false sense of health). I AM planning to take a couple months to decide what direction I want to go next. I find it a very odd suggestion to just not work -- meds alone cost too much money! I think that is the total Zen in you :) I do agree with what you said about the Universe though. Namaste.
Posted 12/26/2015 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
CC: Somehow I missed this post a few days ago and I am so sorry you are going through this, especially during the holidays. Sounds like you have a plan to deal with your anxiety in place and I wish you the best of luck sorting out what you want to do next.
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