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#1
Oct 25, 2011, 08:20 AM
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Adding trigger icon after rereading this... Caution with some of the details....
Valium... Why is it sooo "addictive"? I know some people do get hooked on it. I'm not one of those people. My dad was a crack head, I have seen what addiction does to people and do not allow myself to get addicted to anything besides my cigarettes and caffeine. I've been on Valium so many times. I've been on Percocet, lortab, I've been on sooo many addictive medications and I've never gotten addicted because I ONLY take them when needed. I'm going to the doc tomorrow to ask for Valium. Knowing how addictive they are I know there is a high chance I wont get them since it's my first appointment with him. But I no lie have at least 5 panic attacks a day right now. It's getting out of hand. My anxiety hit a whole nother level from ever before and I need the valium. I know it makes no sense but at this moment I feel like Valium would save my life. Every time I have the attacks I think I'm about to die. I'm convinced of it during the attacks. So knowing the likelyhood of getting the valium is not very high, any other recomendations on medications with similar effects that work as well? I have a very high tolerance for medications so I need something as strong as Valium. I'm going to mention the meds to my doc tomorrow at the appointment and was wondering if anyone knew of any alternative meds to Valium that work just as good? I've had a grand mal seizure caused by anxiety, I've fainted and stopped breathing because of anxiety... The seizure is the reason for tha appointment... I need something pretty seriously right now and if he shoots down the idea of Valium I need a back up to mention. Thanks for any replies and sorry it's so long!!!!! 
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I'd lock my hands behind my head, I'd cover my heart and hit the deck, I'd brace myself for the impact if I were you. 
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#2
Oct 25, 2011, 08:30 AM
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Why do you suffer these panic attacks? what causes them? Are you adressing that? Benzos can take you only so far. If you don't deal with your coping mechanisms, you are at high risk of getting addicted to those meds.
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Glory to heroes!
HATEFREE CULTURE |
 PurpleFlyingMonkeys
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#3
Oct 25, 2011, 09:14 AM
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I've been working with this anxiety issue for years now. There are a few things that cause it and trigger it. Things I can't really control. I can control how I act during the episodes and attacks but when I get triggered there is no stopping them completely. Just learning to deal with them. This last series of attacks came about after the seizure, the fear of having another one and the fact that I have been waiting since August to see this doctor about the seizure. I've been left, since August with no information about seizures or their causes or how to handle them or how to avoid them or any knowledge whatsoever about the grand mal seizure I had back in August. I don't have insurance so I made the appointment with this doctor the first week of August and their fist opening was tomorrow.
The last 2 years I have had numerous traumatic experineces all adding up. From living in my car for 6 months, escaping an abusive marriage, a horrible car accident, being trapped and running through marsh from 5 aggressive dogs, the seizure... The police trying to arrest me and arresting my boyfriend due to false allegations by my ex... Not to mention trying to buy a new home and being a single mom the stress had piled up. I can normally cope, have had a pretty traumatic life thus far and have managed well. Most of the time I am completely unmedicated but when times get really rough I need medication. The last time I was this panicked was while I was pregnant and could count up to 30 minor attacks a day. But I couldn't take meds for them because I was pregnant. The panic from that was because of the abusive relationship and issues in the pregnancy. I have coping mechanisms, I have the grounding skills. I work mentally on myself non stop, another thing that does sometimes cause even more stress, rehashing the childhood memories. I'm looking for a t right now, I'm hoping the doctor will refer me to one I can afford when I go in tomorrow, I know I need therapy right now. But I've been in and out of therapy for 10 years, it doesn't help the anxiety stop, only helps me to calm it down but now even calming it down isn't enough any more. I can stop them from getting worse because I know it's just my anxiety but I can't stop the heavy feeling in my chest, the shaking, the chest and stomach pain and the racing thoughts, I can only convince myself that everything will be fine but even that isn't working any more...
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I'd lock my hands behind my head, I'd cover my heart and hit the deck, I'd brace myself for the impact if I were you.
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| missbelle
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#4
Oct 25, 2011, 10:26 AM
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All the coping skills will not help if there is a problem and its usually depression with anxiety. Sometimes the only way to stop some of the panic attacks is by meds. This way you get a handle on yourself to explore more why you might be having the attacks. Nothing worse then a full blown panic attack. I have had so many. I am still on xanax and have been for six years never ever increasing the dosage. I take a low dose, time released and it helps...even after all this time.I still get a little anxiety but no panic attacks for years now!
We have to do what we have to do.....You know best...go with your gut and be well!
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Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. Oscar Wilde Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich The road to hell is paved with good intentions. "And psychology has once again proved itself the doofus of the sciences" Sheldon Cooper 
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| pgrundy, PurpleFlyingMonkeys
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#5
Oct 25, 2011, 09:17 PM
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Quote:
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"Therapists are experts at developing therapeutic relationships." |
| PurpleFlyingMonkeys
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#6
Oct 26, 2011, 06:55 AM
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You make a valid point sunrise. I was thinking about just going in and telling him, like you said "This, this and this are going on and it's been causing panic attacks and some of those are resulting in blackouts..." blah blah blah but then tell him about my previous experience with Valium and ask for that or something with similar results for the anxiety. It's been making work harder and harder. I have a panic attack every time I walk through the door. It doesn't help that it's a horrible job. The anxiety from the guests and stress... I can't afford to lose my job but my mental state can't afford to keep my job if I don't have something to keep me calm.
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I'd lock my hands behind my head, I'd cover my heart and hit the deck, I'd brace myself for the impact if I were you.
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#7
Oct 26, 2011, 08:54 AM
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Appointment in 4 hours and 9 minutes... I've been waiting 79 days for this... My nerves are getting to me... Will post in the morning. My boyfriend is taking me and my little girl out to eat after the appointment and then to play drums to celebrate the appointment lol. He's been eagerly waiting like me, he was there for the seizure and is still in panic mode everytime I'm not feeling well. Hope everyone has a wonderful day
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I'd lock my hands behind my head, I'd cover my heart and hit the deck, I'd brace myself for the impact if I were you.
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#8
Oct 26, 2011, 09:46 AM
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Hope everything gos well! Thinking about you!
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| PurpleFlyingMonkeys
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#9
Oct 26, 2011, 02:00 PM
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Well damn...too late to help but I have 2 cents to add...might help later
 I am so sorry that you are having such severe anxiety. I can relate. I am not sure if I have ever had anxiety attacks per se but I have had prolonged periods of incredible anxiety. And lucky enough to have experienced long term agitated depression  Basically 24/7 anxiety w/ only a variance in degree of severity.Okay... that's my creds for offering my input  You asked for an alternative to Valium. Clonazepam has been the only med that ever really helped my anxiety. Valium...quick but doesn't last. I once tried two 2mg(?) I think to get some sleep. I fell asleep at 10pm and awoke at midnight...wide awake. Ativan...okay but not quite. Xanax...had no effect on me at all. I'm amazed that this is used as a recreational drug. Clonazepam...just right Goldilocks Close enough for rock & roll anyway.I'm not a pharmacist nor a physician so I'm not going into any technical details but as far as I know, Clonazepam is the least addictive benzo... One last word...when I began taking Clonazepam I was also prescribed Prozac and then later the Prozac was replaced w/ Effexor XR. Either or both may have had anxiolytic effects but I remember the initial doses of Prozac made me feel a bit edgy. Judging by the time stamp, you are at your appt now so this isn't going to help. I don't visit the forum much...sorry, wish I'd seen your post sooner  BTW Clonazepam is also prescribed as an anticonvulsant. I hope you get some relief some way. Good luck
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| PurpleFlyingMonkeys
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#10
Oct 27, 2011, 10:02 AM
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Thank you so much for your reply! The doctor ended up giving me a beta blocker to stop my migraines and an anxiety med non narcotic that they said you can almost get over the counter. I don't have another appointment with him until January 25th so hopefully these new meds work but he said that he will likely have to up the dose when I go back. Is clonazapam the same as Klonapin? I've heard that is really addictive... But you never know if what you hear is true. If this new med does not work I will ask him to try the Clonazepam, it seems like it's worked well for you!!! Thanks again for the kind reply!!!
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I'd lock my hands behind my head, I'd cover my heart and hit the deck, I'd brace myself for the impact if I were you.
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#11
Oct 27, 2011, 12:09 PM
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Yes...generic term for Klonopin. Addictive? Maybe. That could be a problem if you are very young. I'm not
The doc who originally prescribed the clonazepam did so to replace Ativan, which she considered too addictive. I've been taking it for several years and the dosage has never been increased. I take .5mg per day...sometimes less. I had to stop taking it once. It was easier to stop than Effexor XR. Looks like you got a good variety of responses here...all seem valid IMHO. Keep in mind what missbelle said. Xanax works great for her. Didn't do a thing for me. What works well for one doesn't necessarily work for another. VH has a great point as far as it goes but unfortunately sometimes meds are necessary. Coping skills and meditation may work great for panic attacks. I have no experience with attacks...to me a "panic attack" implies something of relatively short duration. I hope the med you got works for you. Best of luck Quote:
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#12
Oct 27, 2011, 11:15 PM
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PurpleFlyingMonkeys, it sounds like you are feeling hopeful and your appointment went well. I hope the new meds will help. What is the name of the anti-anxiety med that you were prescribed?
__________________
"Therapists are experts at developing therapeutic relationships." |
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