[ImNotHere]

I am getting extremely anxious and nervous about my first appointment with my psychiatrist.

I have been on many anti - depressants and anxiety medications but none have helped me. I asked my doctor for something stronger like xanax to help with my severe anxiety. She said that she will not give me anything that strong and I have to see a psychiatrist to get anything more.

I really need medication to help with my anxiety, will I be prescribed anything strong on my first visit (I know I have to build up the dosage)?

I am worried I will go there and not get any medication on my first visit. I don't have a lot of money to make frequent appointments and I really need medication.

[AncientMelody]

Medication is one thing and as we said yes you probably will get some medication. "Really strong "medication is another story altogether and we can't say so, I think it's something you'll just have to wait and see.

Be aware that "really strong" anxiety medication should be for emergency use only. I wouldn't advise going in and planning to get put on a long-term daily benzo. There are reasons that these medications have restrictions on them. they can have harmful effects if used incorrectly.

The doctor is the one who has the training on these medications. I recommend letting him or her know how severe your symptoms are, but I would suggest that you not go in and try to "push" them on what to prescribe. I am sure your words come out of fear and worry but as an outsider this post sounds like you may be going in and trying to demand a particular medication. I may be wrong, but just keep that in mind that to do so in such a way wouldn't serve you.

[ImNotHere]

Originally Posted by AncientMelody

Medication is one thing and as we said yes you probably will get some medication. "Really strong "medication is another story altogether and we can't say so, I think it's something you'll just have to wait and see.

Be aware that "really strong" anxiety medication should be for emergency use only. I wouldn't advise going in and planning to get put on a long-term daily benzo. There are reasons that these medications have restrictions on them. they can have harmful effects if used incorrectly.

The doctor is the one who has the training on these medications. I recommend letting him or her know how severe your symptoms are, but I would suggest that you not go in and try to "push" them on what to prescribe. I am sure your words come out of fear and worry but as an outsider this post sounds like you may be going in and trying to demand a particular medication. I may be wrong, but just keep that in mind that to do so in such a way wouldn't serve you.

I will try not to push it. I am just extremely anxious to the point of shaking right now. I have had to wait a very long time to get proper insurance so I could even afford to see a psychiatrist so I just really want to finally get help.

[DelusionsDaily]

Originally Posted by AncientMelody

Medication is one thing and as we said yes you probably will get some medication. "Really strong "medication is another story altogether and we can't say so, I think it's something you'll just have to wait and see.

Be aware that "really strong" anxiety medication should be for emergency use only. I wouldn't advise going in and planning to get put on a long-term daily benzo. There are reasons that these medications have restrictions on them. they can have harmful effects if used incorrectly.

The doctor is the one who has the training on these medications. I recommend letting him or her know how severe your symptoms are, but I would suggest that you not go in and try to "push" them on what to prescribe. I am sure your words come out of fear and worry but as an outsider this post sounds like you may be going in and trying to demand a particular medication. I may be wrong, but just keep that in mind that to do so in such a way wouldn't serve you.

I'm gonna bounce off this. I would list off the meds you HAVE tried that haven't worked, and if there are any the ones that have worked only minimally. In this effort your doctor will be more likely to understand your urgency. But I still would NOT push for a particular med especially benzos because almost certainly it will come across as med seeking and destroy your chances especially first time seeing them.

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[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by DelusionsDaily

I'm gonna bounce off this. I would list off the meds you HAVE tried that haven't worked, and if there are any the ones that have worked only minimally. In this effort your doctor will be more likely to understand your urgency. But I still would NOT push for a particular med especially benzos because almost certainly it will come across as med seeking and destroy your chances especially first time seeing them.
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I agree that if you push too hard you'll seem drug seeking. I've been seeing my p-doc for almost a year, and she still won't prescribe me even a tiny dose of Xanax or another benzo to take as needed because I drink alcohol, and the combination can be deadly.

Have you tried a beta blocker (like propanolol) before? That can help with anxiety, and you might be more likely to get a prescription for that on a first visit than a benzo. I would list what didn't work for you and ask what he/she recommends, rather than requesting something in particular.

[AncientMelody]

very good thoughts on the topic here. I agree propranolol can be very good for physical symptoms of anxiety. In particular if any of your anxiety symptoms are trauma-related because it decreases the hyperarrousal that can come with PTSD.

I do understand where you're coming from with the desperation. It was a few years ago for me but I was in pretty rough shape by the time I saw a psychiatrist too and remember how scary all this is. You will get through. Good luck!

[musinglizzy]

I don't see a Pdoc so I don't know....but I agree with others, that you should be prepared with a list of meds you HAVE tried, and let them make a suggestion, not you, if you have something in mind. I don't know what "really strong" anxiety medication is. Is Xanax "really strong?" My primary doc gives me more than I require, really, every month. But it lasts me 6-8 weeks or so...I don't take it daily. Is that considered really strong? I was on Valium for a couple years, then got switched to xanax. Right now I've been using it just to sleep at night....which probably isn't a good habit to get into, but it has certainly helped me with my insomnia. I sleep 8-9 hours a night now! So the past couple of weeks, I have taken it daily, but only at bedtime, and I'm prescribed twice the amount in a day than I take.

I was on propanalol years ago. It helped me for awhile....then nothing. So I just take xanax as needed.

[AncientMelody]

I can't speak for the OP, but in general yeah, the benzos are pretty much all in the "pretty strong" category unless the prescribed amount is very small or infrequent.

[unlockingsanity]

It was years before I got prescribed any benzos.

[nottrustin]

It really depends on the Dr. Some will prescribe on the first visit others will wait. They will want to know if you have a history of any addiction to alcohol, recreational drugs, or other prescription medications. They will also probably want to speak to your previous providers. Even then they may want to get to know you more before prescribing benzos. Like others have said you need to proceed with precaution when asking for them especially on the first visit. The Dr. will not know you and it will come across as med seeking.