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Health Anxiety - What meds work?

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Posted 8/30/2010 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
My husbands health anxiety is getting the best of both of us. He has a pdoc appt on Thurs.

What type of meds work for those of you that suffer from this?

He is on Trazadone, Temazapam, Zanax, Klonipin also Seroquel. Most of these he takes at bedtime just to sleep. He's been waking up around 3am with racing thoughts about what hurts and what bothers him. Any sound keeps him awake.
He either has some ache, pain or sore from one thing or another. Besides his eyes or ears bother him.
He needs to get this under control or he won't survive.

It just keeps getting worse. I don't know how to keep helping him.
Posted 8/30/2010 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
I can't give you an answer about which medication is best. I'm new to the world of psychotropics and still trying to get stabilized myself. It's also such an individualistic thing. What works for one person doesn't work for the next and vice versa.

As far as not knowing what to do to help. Sometimes we can't or there's only so much we can do. But I'm sure that you being there is making a bigger difference than you realize. The mere fact that he is not going through this alone is probably helping to keep him calmer than he'd otherwise be. I lived alone when my anxiety started and quickly realized that I need more support from others and decided to move. Listening, driving with him to appointments... the little things really DO make a difference!
Posted 8/30/2010 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
mrsfarmer
Good afternoon. Your husband is on 3 of benzodiazipe drugs; Xanax, Klonopin and Restoril - wow and then add that to the Trazadone and Seroquel which are are used for their sleep properties causes me some concern for him. He takes these all at night ? Have you ever taken him to a Psychiatirst to deal with his medications for his mental health issues ?

I would like to kindly suggest he see a therapist to help him work through his racing thoughts and what is causing this to happen to him.

Being an advocate for him is the best thing you can do as I found when I was unable to cope my husband and my children stepped in and actually went to appointment they made through me with the hlep of my PCP.

I wish you the best.
Posted 8/31/2010 12:28 PM (GMT 0)

Wow!  I tend to think he is over medicated and the mixture is being counter productive.  I would take his medications to the doctor and go over every single one with him/her, describe his symptoms and  try to determine if some his problems can be related to poly-drugging.  Three benzo's...I just don't get that at all.  The only thing that helped me with Health Anxiety was therapy and the reassurance of my family....and believe, I am sure I drove them crazy describing every ache and pain as though I was drawing my last breath.   I hope you can get the help he needs.

Donna

Posted 8/31/2010 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
He is seeing a psychiatrist! Almost every 2 weeks since April. It's just getting worse.

Years ago he was on alot of meds, mostly Seroquel, 800mgs. Gained over 120 pounds. We had to switch to a new dr and he got him off the Seroquel. Lost 115 lbs in 1 year. But then his anxiety/bi-polar awoke more. That's how he lost the weight, he was/is on the go constantly.
I do take him to all his appointments. He should probably go to some therapy again. He did awhile ago, but didn't seem to help him much.
He is now thinking that some of this sickness is in his mind. This morning claimed he had stomach pain and said maybe it's in his mind. I think he might have pain, but he blows it out of proportion. He gets obsessed over one or more things and that's all he can think about.
I'm worried he's taking too much Xanax again. He was all the way up to 8mg years ago, and now he's already up to 4mg. He takes the Trazadone & Zanax some in the morning, but the rest is at bedtime.
I don't want him on alot of Seroquel again. He did nothing but sit in his chair. It's great now that he is active, but he's overactive most of the time.

We have been married over 35 years, and he has had anxiety for 20 of those years. It came to a head 7-8 years ago. I'm not about to give up, but sometimes I feel I can't take much more.
I can't find a forum for family support. One I found, but no one posts and I never got a response when I registered.
I wish there was a family support forum here.
Posted 9/1/2010 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Have you considered or tried looking into an in-person support group for yourself? His psychiatrist or counselor (if you're still in touch) might be able to provide a referral or offer some ideas. Otherwise you can try looking online not just for support groups directly, but for mental health organizations in the area that you can call for information and direction.

My family has been to a counselor twice (not regularly, but just as needed) for themselves as things pertain to my anxiety and panic. They wanted to ask things like "am I pushing too much or not enough?", and have found it helpful and encouraging to get that extra support.
Posted 9/6/2010 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I too suffer from anxiety. I have been on most of the medications you listed; however, not at the same time. Has he seen a psychiatrist? I am not sure if it is safe or even if the medications are working if he is taking all of those at one time. I also experience racing thoughts, but I have known that to be a sign of bipolar - which I have. I feel for you; it is not easy living with someone who is chronically ill. My fiance - at times - has a hard time with it. Sometimes he just needs his space. I think a support group would be a great idea for you. Also, if your husband has seen a pysch. and nothing is working, maybe he needs to see a different one. I have seen quite a few psychs before finding the right one for me. Good luck.
Posted 9/6/2010 4:10 AM (GMT 0)

I'm not a doctor (and maybe your husband's doctor has reasons for not prescribing them), but it seems to me your husband would do well on an SSRI type medication, such as Prozaz, Paxil, Zoloft, etc.  It sounds like your husband has a problemn with obsessive thoughts, and those medications can work well for that. It may take 2 to 3 months to get the full benefits (so don't give up too soon), but they can really reduce the anxiety that the thoughts can cause.

Nothing works 100 percent, but they can help you to live a life without constant ruminations about things that don't matter. It's something for you to consider (if you haven't already) with your doctor.

God bless :-) .

                               G20man

 

Posted 9/6/2010 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
mrsfarmer
First of all, you are obviously a supportive and caring lady and your husband is fortunate to have you in his life. I commend you on your positive attitude.

Support groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information. People with health conditions, as well as their friends and families find support groups to be a valuable resource and get confirmation that their feelings are "normal", educate others, or just let off steam. This is what HealingWell is all about.

As a spouse recognize that when your husband says there is "nothing you can do to help" it probably means it is a time when he needs you the most.

The most important thing I ask my husband is to understand that my anxiety and depression is not my fault. I didn't ask for this and cannot just will it away but I need him to just be there for me when the road is tough.

Blessings to you,

Kitt
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