Hi Poetry... I cannot attest to Xanax, but was on Lorazepam for anxiety due to the severe stress I have been under. (Finally broke down and talked to doctor). Dr. put me on what I believe was close to the minimum dose (1mg) and I could only take a half at a time as a full pill put me to where I could not function. I am almost 67 and all of a sudden I started having problems with depression symptoms while taking the Lorazepam. I talked to the coordinator at my doctors office and she talked to my Dr and he had me stop the Lorazepam and started me on Fluoxitine (generic Prozac). I have been taking it for a week now and though it hasn't fully settled in, it has made a difference. The depression (which I have never had before), anxiety and panic attacks have subsided. I also take Gabapentin (generic Neurontin) and have taken it for a year and half.
Gabapentin serves two purposes for me, keeps my seizure disorder from resurfacing and helps with a solid headache I have had since Feb 2016. Before I started either Lorazepam or Fluoxitine I called my pharmacist to make sure there would be no conflict or interaction (always call my pharmacist re new med as they know more than dr on this as to interactions). Will update as more time goes by as to how the Fluoxitine is working. Hope this helps.
I take Lexapro (escitalopram). I had to cut my bp meds for a couple days but it helps even me out ..Or it did . I think id like about triple the dosage these days lol. ( no im not and dont recommend it) . Sleepless nights, sighs .. it all adds up unfortunately
Last week was horribly stressful because my mother was hospitalized with a serious heart condition. I felt as if the stress was bringing on an attack of my own. No kidding --- I was very ill six months ago and all my old symptoms returned. Since I couldn't see my doctor immediately, I went to an urgent care facility and was given an antihistamine, which definitely lowered my stress for the couple of days until I was able to see my doctor yesterday He gave me a month's supply of valium, and for the first time last night I slept like a happy baby. I'm taking less than the maximum --- just one in the late morning so that after lunch I'm able to take a good nap, and one at bedtime to make sure I rest.
For me, I so far have had good luck with Xanax, the lowest dosage made. The doctor also had me take Paxil, again the lowest dosage made. It does help, I found myself saying "whatever" instead of going into argument mode. And it helps with the tremors I would have.
Heck, I was one of those people who hated to take even an aspirin. Wish I would have taken these two prescriptions back when I was helping my parents [in their 90's] who had refused to move from their home, which had a lot of stairs. Maybe I wouldn't have developed major panic attacks over those 7 years. Unfortunately, the pills don't help with my panic attacks. Maybe if I took a higher dosage, but I refuse to do that at this point in time :P
I take Clonidine for my blood pressure too. It has the added effect of helping with my anxiety level too, maybe because it lowers the BP and has the drowsiness side effect, but it is non-narcotic. With your low blood pressure though like you said, maybe not a good idea...
I used to take Klonopin some years back, took it for about 5 years for anxiety after my grandpa died, but I would never do so again. My anxiety after coming off of them was terrible and seemed to increase 100 fold, started having bad panic attacks. Tried to go off of them cold turkey but had to be weaned off it was so bad. Plus, like Ahmi's experience you build up a tolerance and the dose quits working after awhile.
Dr. prescribed Xanax for me because I feel like I'm going to lose my mind over the stress of putting my father into a nursing home and waiting for the Title 19 to get approved. I don't think it's working though. I still wake up in the middle of the night and I still feel like I'm losing my mind! Dr. didn't want to prescribe anything else though because he feels that once everything settles down, I'll be ok again. He only gave me 30 days too.
I used to take Xanax but my doctor didn’t want to prescribe it for me any longer and truthfully, the more I took it the less it worked. I have high blood pressure and she prescribed Clonidine for me. It helps with anxiety but it also knocks me out. I am sure others will have suggestions on what you could ask your doctor for.
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Gabapentin serves two purposes for me, keeps my seizure disorder from resurfacing and helps with a solid headache I have had since Feb 2016. Before I started either Lorazepam or Fluoxitine I called my pharmacist to make sure there would be no conflict or interaction (always call my pharmacist re new med as they know more than dr on this as to interactions). Will update as more time goes by as to how the Fluoxitine is working. Hope this helps.
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Heck, I was one of those people who hated to take even an aspirin. Wish I would have taken these two prescriptions back when I was helping my parents [in their 90's] who had refused to move from their home, which had a lot of stairs. Maybe I wouldn't have developed major panic attacks over those 7 years. Unfortunately, the pills don't help with my panic attacks. Maybe if I took a higher dosage, but I refuse to do that at this point in time :P
I used to take Klonopin some years back, took it for about 5 years for anxiety after my grandpa died, but I would never do so again. My anxiety after coming off of them was terrible and seemed to increase 100 fold, started having bad panic attacks. Tried to go off of them cold turkey but had to be weaned off it was so bad. Plus, like Ahmi's experience you build up a tolerance and the dose quits working after awhile.