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I feel bad for taking meds...

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 11/2/2013 9:17 AM (GMT 0)
I know it sounds weird but I have a hard time taking my Xanax. Whenever I think about taking it the first thing that comes to mind is that it's only meant for when I can't control the anxiety, not when I'm simply having a hard time sleeping because of racing mind or anything like that. Even when I'm having a panic attack I'd rather calm down with breathing than take a Xanax. I just can't find a situation where I'm convinced I need it and won't feel bad afterwords. Any tips on this little issue...?
Posted 11/2/2013 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi alucard,

It sounds as if you are being very prudent in your Xanax use. You try calming techniques first and foremost. You are not abusing your Rx in any way, shape or form...but perhaps are just still hung up on the stigma of an anti-anxiety med?

My husband is a type 1 diabetic. He could watch his diet, exercise all day and still need his medication. He is very healthy and careful with his lifestyle, yet still needs insulin to be well.

I do not see taking an A/D medication as being any different. My husband's body does not produce insulin...perhaps your brain chemicals are similar in needing help in functioning at their best, and keeping anxiety levels down.

Some people are fortunate enough to be able to use coping skills alone...some need the benefit of an Rx...I say doing whatever you need to feel well is the right answer for YOU.:)

Wishing you much peace,

S.C.
Posted 11/2/2013 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi alucard,

Welcome to HealingWell.

If your anxiety is out of proportion to the stressful situation; or persists when a stressful situation has gone, or the stress is minor; appears for no apparent reason when there is no stressful situation then you should consider taking your medication IMHO. Always follow the directions from your Dr. that are written on your medication bottle.

Some of us need medication and as SC mentioned there is no shame in using medication.

I wish you well,

Kitt 

Posted 11/2/2013 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
hi, what helped me was to know the problem with my anxiety and depression was that i was deficient in certain substances in my brain and body. then it didn't seem like medication was a crutch, it was just something my body needed to function well. i take a slew of pills every day but that is what i need to function well. as someone else shared, it is just like a diabetic needing insulin or an asthmatic needing breathing help.

good luck to you ...
Posted 11/2/2013 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
According to your theory the heart patient who takes nitro is giving in to the disease, the diabetic who's
glucose reading is up that takes insulin, the COPD patient who finally quit smoking but now needs the inhaler,
You are beating yourself up for no good reason, you medicate well within the doctors guidelines and you
are a responsible person. "You take your medicine for your condition, some day you will not need it"! Peace

Larry ***
Posted 11/4/2013 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alu,

I respect your prudence and the thinking behind it but I suggest you don't take it to the extreme. Taking your xanax when you are really overwhelmed could be the kindest gesture you could do to yourself.
Posted 11/4/2013 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't read the responses, so excuse me if I repeat anything.

I have this trouble myself. My doctors are always going mad on me for going too light on the benzo's. I prefer to treat anxiety with antidepressants, but that doesn't quite work if one is bipolar and can't take mood stabilisers that stop hypo/mania.

If you are not bipolar, you may want to trial an antidepressant medication like efexor or agomelatine. There are also others non-benzo meds that are effective in reducing anxiety symptoms.

Breathing, meditation, relaxation ARE valid treatments and I too am conscious of avoiding the tolerance and addictive effects of benzos.

Now I''ll read the responses and see if there is anything that could help me with this very same issue. :) Hugs, Jade xo

Something else that has come to me is that antihystamine might also be another type of drug to explore, it is sedating without the same tolerance of addictive features of benzos.

I don't subscribe to long term benzo use. They are rendered useless if not used as a PRN or used only on a short term basis.

Post Edited (Living Well) : 11/3/2013 9:08:39 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/4/2013 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
I really understand what do you feel alucard because me too, I already faced this situation. In fact, you just have to bear in mind that it's good for you and breathing is just part of its remedy, frankly speaking. To communicate with people facing the same problem is already good but you can also speak and why not ask advices from your doctor. I think it will help you a lot.

Best regards,
Posted 11/4/2013 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
at least there's no worry about you getting addicted. However, I was on Xanax for years and never got addicted. Now my doctors refuse to prescribe any patient a benzo! I think it's very unfair, as there are occasionally times when I could still use one! I never felt bad about using it, no more than I'd feel bad for taking a tylenol for a headache. Why suffer unnecessarily? I hope you can get this worked out to your betterment. Take care.
jl
Posted 11/5/2013 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. Here's another thing on my mind. I know you shouldn't take Xanax WITH alcohol, but what about a day afterwords? I had a Xanax last night and decided to have a few beers tonight. Would this be an issue?
Posted 11/5/2013 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Here is something that you should read before considering drinking within the same time as you are using your Rx...

http://http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1198207/how-long-does-xanax-stay-in

Best wishes.:)

S.C.

Posted 11/5/2013 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Any non-medical mood altering drug is best to avoid when suffering mood disorders. No offence intended at all alucard, but it is oxymoronic to not want to take medicinal drugs to treat a disorder while undermining the treatment of that disorder by taking social drugs. Exogenous drugs are drugs regardless of whether they have been prescribed by doctors. Our bodies do not know what is prescription medication and what is social lubrication/self-medication. All mood altering drugs need to be metabolised by our body. Alcohol is not prescribed for anxiety simply because it is not a good long term treatment for anxiety, and can actually be harmful for anxiety. If you are worried about medicating your anxiety, alcohol would be the first drug to worry about. Hope this help conceptualise the physical realities of mood altering drugs because culturally we divide them into medicinal and social when in reality our body just doesn't do that. Food for thought for anyone managing mood disorders.
Cheers,
Jade xo
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