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Asking doctor for low dose anti-depressant or anxiety medication

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Posted 11/17/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to the doctor tomorrow and I am going to ask him for a low dose anti-depressant or anxiety medication. As I am going through peri- menopause i feel as if my panic attacks are coming back(after being gone for a while)with a vengeance. I don't know if it is the Seasonal disorder doing this since it gets darker earlier now or what but I need some information on what to ask for? Any info about what anyone else takes and how it has helped will be greatly appreciated.
Posted 11/18/2010 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
WOW.. so no one who is looked at this post is on any meds for anxiety/depression? Pretty amazing that no one has ANY ADVICE..THANKS EVERYONE!
Posted 11/18/2010 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
When I seen my doctor, I talked with her and she placed me on Klonopin for anxiety as needed plus I am seeing a therapist. Truthfully the therapist helps the most but when I have high anxiety days that I can't control then I take Klonopin. I also have SAD. Do you have a light box?
Posted 11/18/2010 6:05 AM (GMT 0)
This message board is usually quiet during the hours you posted.

I'm on Klonopin, but I don't know if that's what would be best for you. We just switched back to standard time not that long ago. Perhaps this is just a weird thing and it will go away? Anyhow, the problem with a lot of the anti-depressant drugs out there is that they'll actually cause increased anxiety for two or three weeks before they begin to work properly. Not all of them do that, but it's worth discussing with your doctor. If you think it may be something that will go away and you just need temporary help, you may ask about a short supply of Xanax or Ativan. And if you run through that prescription and you're still having trouble, then you'll probably want to go back to the doctor to explore other options, including some kind of behavioral therapy.

I don't know anything about this menopause business except that I was a teenager when my mother went through it and it's a wonder that most of the household is still alive today. So that can definitely affect mood and you may actually want to start there, given that a medication for anxiety would just cover the real problem and in the long term there are even dependency issues with some of them.

Good Luck.
Posted 11/18/2010 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Tinlou
I am sorry I did not get to your question earlier. I am on medication and I have tried many over the past 28 years. Some have worked well and some have just pooped out on me. I also have depression so it is a double edged sword for me.

Debaser is correct that many of the AD's will cause anxiety for the first 2-3 weeks and if you can get through the initial discomfort many medications work well.

As we all react differently to the meds it is hard to suggest to you which medication to ask for.

Doctor appointments can be rushed, and you may forget to bring up topics that are important to you. One way to make the most of your visit is to create a list of questions beforehand and then check them off as you and your doctor talk. Here are a few ideas of questions to ask:

What are the benefits of taking this medication? How effective is it?

When will the medication start working? How will I know if it's working?

What will it feel like to be on this medication?

Is this medication safe?

What are the side effects? Will they go away over time? What should I do if I experience them?

How long will I need to take this medication? Will I be able to stop taking it eventually?

Should I avoid certain things (eg, other medications, alcohol) or particular foods while I'm taking this drug?

What if it doesn't work? Is there something else I can do?

Will this medication take care of my depression symptoms?

What type of withdrawal symptoms do people experience when weaning off of this medication ?

I wish you the best in finding a medication that helps for you.

Kindly,

Kitt
Posted 11/18/2010 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thank-you to those who responded, I am on my way to the doctor's now and I will use some of your helpful suggestions.
Posted 11/18/2010 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I missed your thread earlier. How did things go for you?

percycat
Posted 11/18/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I lot of the views come from guests with no accounts, I believe.

I'm on Lexapro 10mg daily and take Ativan 0.5mg as needed. So far this has been working decently for me. I find that Ativan works to calm the nerves quite a bit but, for me personally, by the time it kicks in I'm over the worst of the panic!

As far as SAD goes, try taking vitamin D! I've been going tanning personally and it's made a noticeable difference. But I know a lot of people aren't into tanning, so a vit.D tablet would have the same effect I think?
Posted 11/18/2010 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
I love tanning but does the indoor tanning give Vitamin D as well? My doctor pretty much admitted that I am stressed out but didn't give me anything for it!! Maybe I should find a new doctor.
Posted 11/18/2010 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
It does give vit. D :) Not in the healthiest way (premature aging of skin, cancer etc) but if done in moderation you should be fine! Like I said, when I started going I noticed a bit of a lift in my mood. The feeling of laying in the "sun" helps too - a bit of summer in November lol. As for your doctor, I think they're usually pretty reluctant to give out any nerve pills.. My doctor only gave me any on the first visit because she'd seen how much weight I had lost and knew that my anxiety had caused me to drop out of school. Did he offer any suggestions?
Posted 11/18/2010 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Tinlou,

I'm sorry to hear that your doctor wasn't willing to offer any solutions. Perhaps a therapist could help, especially while you sort out what to do about the lack of medication. Do you have a separate gynecologist? If so, you might meet with him/her to discuss the anxiety, since you believe it's related to your hormones. There may be some other options that way.

Wishing you successful treatment soon!

percycat
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