question about medication

Hi BB,

Do I remember that you do not want to use a benzodiazepine for breakthrough anxiety?  (I kind of recall this from a previous post?)

Because that would be my recommendation, unless there is a reason that you need to avoid this class of meds.

A combination of meds and self-help/therapy is usually a good move for most A/P sufferers, so that is what I often advise. There are several good free programs available...as well as low cost books that I can recommend at your request.

An SSRI or benzo can certainly help with the symptoms of anxiety, but getting at the root causes, and learning the tools to manage the stressors that are causing the problems is pretty key.

...but getting back to your question...to make your decision, you will want to consider:

How helpful was this med for me?
What adverse s/e's (if any) did I have?
How difficult was it to wean off of when I wanted to quit?

I hope that you can figure out with certainty what you want to do soon, so that you can feel your best ASAP! :)

Keep posting,

S.C.

Benzodiazepines are worth asking about...

They are quick acting and effective, with little known side effects.

The downside is that they do carry a risk of dependency, so they would be ill advised for someone with a history of substance abuse or addiction.

However, many people have no problem when with them when taken just on an as needed basis.

Know that you are advocating for your health, and try not to guilt trip yourself...you will be making an informed decision.:)

S.C.