[LenaT]

Are there any medications that can help you relax (besides a glass of wine ) when you need it most, rather than taking a pill every single day? I haven't been to the doctor yet for my issues, but I'm just wondering ahead of time. My anxiety comes and goes and I sometimes take a tylenol PM or advil PM to relax and that helps a little but it makes me sleepy.

Hi LenaT,

I take Ativan as needed.

You might want to post this in the Drug Forum. You'll get some great feedback.

[sunrise]

Lena, I take Buspar for anxiety but it has to be taken every day. I also have a Xanax prescription, which can be used for spot use, or just when you need it, when you know things are going to be bad. It puts me to sleep though, so for me, is not that useful.

[Maven]

When I saw a resident (instead of my regular T), he gave me Ativan, since I was weaning off my meds, in case I had a panic attack. Unfortunately, I left those meds (8 pills) at the apartment before we moved. I asked my T for some more on my last visit, but she said I didn't need them (I'd rescheduled three or four times and never asked for more Ativan over the phone, so I'd like to think she doesn't think I took those previous pills and got addicted). I felt safer having them available, just in case, but I guess they won't be available.

Ativan is highly addictive, so you should only take them when necessary.

There are also techniques you can use to relax, and you can find them in books on anxiety and panic disorder. Self-hypnosis is also helpful.