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Medication Question...

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Posted 3/31/2012 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

I have a question that I'm hoping someone here can help me with....

I have lots of health/pain issues.... and deal w/ anxiety that varies from week to week, lol. It's always there... but there are other days where it's full blown. I'm on an anti-depressant (Effexor) that works well for the depression aspect.... and a variety of other medications, including pain medications for my chronic pain. I have no side effects at all from the pain meds.

But I DO get side effects from anti-anxiety meds... and that's my issue. At various points, I've either been on Ativan or Xanax for anxiety. And it works well at reducing the anxiety to a place that I can cope w/ it.... but it also completely erases my memory, as well as makes me a little loopy. Seriously... because I get lots of anxiety around the holidays - there are certain years that I can't even remember the month of December.

But - as I'm sure most of you know - NOT using the medication can't be the full answer - because there are times that my anxiety is crippling... and I have to be able to function.

I know a lot of people here and on my board (chronic pain) are on anti-anxiety meds... does anyone else have the side effects that they cause on me? Any thoughts on what to do?

Thanks, in advance, for your input :) --Tina
Posted 3/31/2012 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
YES! I have the same thing happen to me. I take Zoloft 125 mgs. and Xanax .5, 2-3 times a day, and 800 mgs of Ibuprofen 1-3 times a day, depending on my pain level that day. It seems that it causes some type of short term memory loss for me as well, not sure if it's the xanax, the zoloft, or both.

I am extremely forgetful sometimes, but to be honest, i'd rather live with not remembering things sometimes, than live in a constant state of anxiety/panic and pain (I also have fibromyalgia).

I hope this helps you some to know that you are definately not alone with this problem.

Best of luck, Fox
Posted 4/1/2012 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Fox...

Thanks for responding... yes, it absolutely makes me feel better, knowing someone understands :)

I have fibro, too - and I live w/ the "forgetfulness" anyway... it's frustrating, but I can live w/ that....

But the anxiety meds seem to do more than that.... plus, as I said, I am a bit loopy on them. I have a large family that I have to be able to function well for... plus I have to occasionally drive.... and the meds just seem to do me in.

I wonder if... it's the reaction of the anxiety meds mixing w/ my pain meds. As I said before - I don't have any side effects from my pain meds. But maybe the mix of it is what causes the reaction?

I don't know... but I'm suffering a lot from the anxiety right now.... but I'm scared to go get my "emergency" ativan filled... On the other hand - I'm afraid to NOT get it filled, too....

Anxiety sucks :(
Tina
Posted 4/1/2012 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Ah yes! The notorious fibro-fog! Yea, that doesn't help either when dealing with the whole forgetfulness from the anxiety meds.

I personally don't like Ativan. The few times that I have had it, it made me feel the same way as you, really "loopy", and the day after I feel extremely tired and had kind of a hung-over type sensation.

Maybe you could ask your doc if you could try xanax or klonopin instead of getting the Ativan refilled. I have never personally taken klonopin, so I don't know what it feels like on that one. I prefer xanax.

And yes! Anxiety does suck! LOL!

Fox
Posted 4/1/2012 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tina...you sure said it, anxiety SUCKS!!

I've been blessed by the fact that, while I don't suffer from chronic pain, I do suffer from anxiety. My mom does, as well, and unfortunately, she suffers from chronic pain as well. I've heard her say she gets that 'loopy' thing you describe, and I find she's got short term memory issues as well. It definitely seems as if you may have a medication mix that isn't working well together. Have you discussed this with your doctor? You deserve relief, and your doctor will hopefully be able to figure it out!!

Best wishes!!
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