Scared of med change and pdoc visit

xRavenx · Jan 22, 2023 at 03:06 PM

Anyone else struggle with a lot of anxiety surrounding med changes? I should not be nervous, because I've experienced a lot of med changes in the past, but this time around is nerve-racking for me.

I meet with my pdoc Tuesday. The discussion is going to be to start Buspar and discontinue klonopin. The reason for this is to try something daily for my anxiety instead of klonopin, which I would take on an as needed basis (PRN since my pdoc won't prescribe it for daily use).

I hope that if this plan does not work, I can go back to what I was doing before. I almost want to cancel my pdoc visit, because I am second-guessing myself.

MuddyBoots · Jan 22, 2023 at 04:38 PM

It makes sense that you'd be anxious over a change in your anxiety meds. I'd keep that appointment. Like you said, if the plan doesn't work, you can go back to what you were doing before. Give the Buspar a chance, it's a better alternative to benzos on the brain.

Crazy Hitch · Jan 23, 2023 at 12:02 AM

I agree with MuddyBoots. You have nothing to lose. Tell your pdoc how you are feeling. I am very nervous for my appointment tomorrow. I’m hoping he’ll stop my lithium and put me on lamotragine.

xRavenx · Jan 23, 2023 at 08:27 AM

Good luck with your appointment too, Crazy Hitch

*Beth* · Jan 23, 2023 at 10:18 AM

Med changes don't cause me anxiety unless the provider doesn't take into account that by now I know my body and I know what works and what doesn't. So no, the meds don't cause me to be nervous, but the providers sure do, especially because most of them are power trippers.

xRavenx · Jan 23, 2023 at 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Beth*

Med changes don't cause me anxiety unless the provider doesn't take into account that by now I know my body and I know what works and what doesn't. So no, the meds don't cause me to be nervous, but the providers sure do, especially because most of them are power trippers.

That's a part of it for me.... I'm nervous about my pdoc's next move if this new med does not work out. I know my body best and hope that is respected by my pdoc if I try this new med and it isn't for me.

For anxiety, I've tried SSRIS (destabilized me), Gabapentin (stayed on it for way too long. It made me feel weird), propranolol (no effect). Klonopin has been the only thing to work, but I want to try something that gives me daily relief. It's frustrating.

Crazy Hitch · Jan 23, 2023 at 10:10 PM

I saw my pdoc today.

He doesn’t want to change my lithium …. Just yet ….

He’s changing my efexor which he thinks is the biggest culprit for my weight gain to Vortioxetine. It’s new to Australia so it’s not covered by PBS and I had to pay full price.

*Beth* · Jan 23, 2023 at 10:20 PM

I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow @xRavenx .

xRavenx · Jan 24, 2023 at 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Beth*

I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow @xRavenx .

Thanks Beth. I am off to a bit of a rough start since I was prepared for my 10:30 am appointment with my pdoc.....but then they called to change it to 5pm since her internet was down, and they rescheduled the appointment tonight with an APN that I never met before.

That adds to the anxiety. I wish it was with my regular pdoc, but I don't want to reschedule and will have to pay money to cancel the appointment.

Plus, I arranged my work schedule around this 10:30 appointment time so that I do not have to take the whole day off. But I just called out of work today so I can attend this 5pm appointment and feel frazzled. It set me back.

xRavenx · Jan 24, 2023 at 05:41 PM

The appointment went okay. The new, covering APN was nice and asked me questions. I will be going back to seeing my regular pdoc in 2 weeks....
She prescribed the Buspar, but the one thing she said that I hope does not happen is that some people actually experience increased anxiety in the beginning. Hopefully that won't be me.

*Beth* · Jan 25, 2023 at 12:14 AM

Oh, wow, after having changed the appointment time on you (that would definitely frazzle me!), I'm glad the APN was nice. As far as I know every medication that treats anxiety or depression can sometimes cause anxiety. Sometimes prescribers say odd things to patients. I know a number of people who have GAD and find Buspar helpful. I hope it works for you, too.

xRavenx · Jan 25, 2023 at 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Beth*

Oh, wow, after having changed the appointment time on you (that would definitely frazzle me!), I'm glad the APN was nice. As far as I know every medication that treats anxiety or depression can sometimes cause anxiety. Sometimes prescribers say odd things to patients. I know a number of people who have GAD and find Buspar helpful. I hope it works for you, too.

Thank you Beth. Today is my first day taking it (actually took the first dose last night, and it is prescribed 2x per day). This morning, I felt *almost* dizzy, but not quite. Then, I started to feel more normal after a couple of hours. I can actually feel a bit of the calming effect and that it is helping a bit.

The APN also called in clonazepam as well, and I was unaware she was going to do that and only discovered it when I received a notification on my phone that the prescription was ready. My regular pdoc said she would not want me on both, but at least I have a prescription of it in case I have full on panic? I'm only going to use that prescription for emergencies and stick with busar as much as possible.

Only time will tell, but I feel positive about the buspar so far.

raspberrytorte · Jan 31, 2023 at 12:16 PM

Hello, raven! I hope the Buspar works for you

I was on the max dose of that for awhile and unfortunately it didn't help, just made me nauseous. Unfortunately the only thing that helps my anxiety are benzos, so my current pdoc has me on diazepam 3x a day scheduled.

Menu

My Support Forums - Mental Health Support Groups

Get emotional support and friendship from others like you!

Scared of med change and pdoc visit

My Support Forums

Crazy Hitch ɘvlovƎ Member Since Nov 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 18,560 (SuperPoster!) 10 12.6k hugs given	Jan 23, 2023 at 12:02 AM #3 I agree with MuddyBoots. You have nothing to lose. Tell your pdoc how you are feeling. I am very nervous for my appointment tomorrow. I’m hoping he’ll stop my lithium and put me on lamotragine.
	Reply With Quote

xRavenx Magnate Member Since Jun 2016 Location: U.S. Posts: 2,570 7 8,123 hugs given	Jan 23, 2023 at 08:27 AM #4 Good luck with your appointment too, Crazy Hitch __________________ Bipolar 1 Disorder, Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
	Reply With Quote

Beth catches the flowers Member Since Jul 2019 Location: Downtown Vibes, California Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 23.7k hugs given	Jan 23, 2023 at 10:18 AM #5 Med changes don't cause me anxiety unless the provider doesn't take into account that by now I know my body and I know what works and what doesn't. So no, the meds don't cause me to be nervous, but the providers sure do, especially because most of them are power trippers. __________________
	Reply With Quote

Crazy Hitch ɘvlovƎ Member Since Nov 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 18,560 (SuperPoster!) 10 12.6k hugs given	Jan 23, 2023 at 10:10 PM #7 I saw my pdoc today. He doesn’t want to change my lithium …. Just yet …. He’s changing my efexor which he thinks is the biggest culprit for my weight gain to Vortioxetine. It’s new to Australia so it’s not covered by PBS and I had to pay full price.
	Reply With Quote

Beth catches the flowers Member Since Jul 2019 Location: Downtown Vibes, California Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 23.7k hugs given	Jan 23, 2023 at 10:20 PM #8 I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow @xRavenx . __________________
	Reply With Quote

raspberrytorte Insert Smiley Face Member Since Mar 2015 Location: USA Posts: 5,538 9 4,857 hugs given	Jan 31, 2023 at 12:16 PM #13 Hello, raven! I hope the Buspar works for you I was on the max dose of that for awhile and unfortunately it didn't help, just made me nauseous. Unfortunately the only thing that helps my anxiety are benzos, so my current pdoc has me on diazepam 3x a day scheduled. __________________ The darkest of nights is followed by the brightest of days.
	Reply With Quote