[Evening]

I don't usually discuss my anxiety and I think it's the first time I've posted in this forum, but basically I'm starting a new job in 2 weeks and I really can't mess this up. I've been in therapy and have been on anti-depressants, etc., but I still suffer from PTSD, depression and anxiety.
I was thinking about someone I knew who suffered from anxiety and who used to take medication prior to a situation that would apparently lessen the chance/effect of an attack.
I would like to know if there really are medications you can take prior to something to help control anxiety, as I am. I'm not talking one a day anti-depressants or anything like that as they haven't worked for me. Just something I take take before something so I can cope.
And as I mentioned, yes I am in therapy, I have taken a variety of medications, and am attempting to be treated. And I'm not looking for a quick fix (especially as I hate taking medications, so for me to willingly take some is a big deal, haha).

Beta blockers...e.g. Inderal/Propranolol. Some musicians use it for stage fright. A bourbon and coke worked for me but that might be frowned on in a straight job

[Evening]

Well I don't drink so I might skip on that one, but I'll ask my therapist about the others and try to get some before I get this job.

[leonard99]

Most anti-anxiety meds like Xanax work as you described. They are not SSRIs.

[Odee]

Sounds like your friend was taking a benzodiazepine such as Xanax, Valium, etc. It apparently significantly reduces anxiety with a very fast on set of action. Sounds great huh? Unfortunately they can cause extreme psychological and physical addition. I have never taken them, but it is worth researching with some skepticism. I do not plan on taking any any time soon. If you do choose that path, perhaps it's best to have a "plan" -- you will use such drug only at THIS junction and ONLY so many times a day, etc.

[Evening]

I only plan to use medication like that for situations that are causing me higher than usual anxiety, it wouldn't be an every day thing. I am not a fan of medication, and I definitely don't believe they solve anything. At most they help lessen the severity of something to make treating the condition more bearable. And I've definitely had my run ins with medications and their side affects.

[-jimi-]

Benzos are actually perfect for that use. They should only be used now and then, and if you don't make a habit of usage, chance of addiction is very low.

The problem is that even people who don't mentally or physically are prone to addiction can get hooked, slowly over time, because when things are harsh they long to feel better, not to get a kick or anything, just feel better. So over time they might get lazier about what is a situation actually needing the med and when you can suffer through.

[gayleggg]

I took Xanax for years no and again and never became addicted, however, I was very vigilant about if I really needed to take one. I only took them when I became very anxious not daily. There are other medications that are less likely to be addicting. I would talk to a doctor about it.

[venusss]

bach essences (esp rescue remedy) are helpful for many.

[kaliope]

i take buspar for my anxiety. it is not a benzo so non addictive. it really takes the edge off.

[Evening]

I've made an appointment to see my therapist next week, so I'll bring all these up with her and tell her I am interested in trying something to help me cope with starting this new job, amongst other things.

My pdoc prescribes me Xanax to take 1 mg every 6 hours. It works very well. Klonopin is another option.

[Evening]

I think I've taken Xanax before as an anti-depressant. it didn't really work for me though.

[Evening]

I spoke to my therapist today and after a lengthy discussion she has given me a prescription for Oxazepam (if I wrote that right). I am going to try it tomorrow and friday, and hopefully it works. If not I'll try to get back to her before I start work next thursday.

[Evening]

Aaaand I'm not sure I can take this stuff, I took 15mg and I'm feeling completely doped up. I thought I was fine until I stood up, now I'm really losing my sense of balance and feel a little weak. I know it was supposed to be a muscle relaxant but I can't work if I'm staggering all over the place like a drunk.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Can you cut the pills in half and try taking half a dose?

I tend to be very sensitive to the benzodiazepine family, but at the right dose, they work very, very well for me. My right dose just happens to be half or a quarter of what a standard dose is.

[Evening]

It was only half a tablet, 15mg I think, I haven't bothered to get up in the last hour, but I don't feel quite as doped up now. It could be that the tablet is wearing off, or that I had a caramel latte to try and get some energy back so I could finish an assignment. Or it could just be that I'm laying down again. If the feeling I had before wears off before the anti-anxiety affect does I may just have to take the medication quite a bit prior to going to a job.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Originally Posted by Evening

It was only half a tablet, 15mg I think, I haven't bothered to get up in the last hour, but I don't feel quite as doped up now. It could be that the tablet is wearing off, or that I had a caramel latte to try and get some energy back so I could finish an assignment. Or it could just be that I'm laying down again. If the feeling I had before wears off before the anti-anxiety affect does I may just have to take the medication quite a bit prior to going to a job.

There are quite a few meds in the same family. Give this one a try for a few days, but if the side effects are not tolerable, ask for something else! I had to go through 3 different meds, and trying different doses and times to take it before I found something that worked on my anxiety without making me feel totally drugged up or tired.

[Squibbles]

In the UK anyway, doctors are reluctant to give out any benzos unless its for short term use only - for example, to combat the increased anxiety which comes from SSRI start-up or if somebody is scared of flying but has to take a plane.

In some ways I'm kind of jealous how people in the US and other countries seem to get repeat prescriptions for a variety of benzos fairly easily - in the UK, a 28 day supply of valium is like winning the lottery! They work very effectively, but as others have said, you only want to take them now and again to avoid tolerance.

If you want to go for herbal anxiolytics, passiflora is supposed to be effective, and according to one trial, was as effective as oxazepam but with fewer side effects. Valerian is supposed to be helpful but didn't do anything for me. Chamomile tea is helpful to me whenever I feel physically tense.

[Evening]

I've tried valerian for something before- though that may have been sleep- but it also did nothing. My therapist was reluctant too, but we discussed it in depth that I didn't want to be on it forever as I'm actually not a fan of medications, it was just something to try to see if I can cope with this new job next week. I'm only allowed to take it about 3 days a week, ad no more than a 30mg dose.

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by Evening

I only plan to use medication like that for situations that are causing me higher than usual anxiety, it wouldn't be an every day thing. I am not a fan of medication, and I definitely don't believe they solve anything. At most they help lessen the severity of something to make treating the condition more bearable. And I've definitely had my run ins with medications and their side affects.

This is what I use lorazepam for - those extreme situations. I have anxiety most of the time, but I have "emergency" medication to get me through those really tough times (eg. night before work/morning of work or when the anxiety is so bad that I can't control my breathing/having chest pains).

It's best to only use it for emergencies because you build up a tolerance and have to take more and more meds to get the same effect and run the risk of physical dependence (addiction).