Not sure if i need medication or not

[becki]

I've been living with anxiety on and off almost 7 years now. Like many of you I avoid certain situations: getting a haircut alone, grocery shopping for a large order alone, eating out, are a few examples. I do eat out on occasion but not as much as I could. I take .25 Xanax as needed. Usually I don't take it but sometimes I do just to take the edge off. I'm trying to expose myself to more situations and its work but feels good after but I know I need to do more. I recently had surgery to help with a medical issue I was dealing with. That was stressful. My recovery has been fine and I return to work in 2.5 weeks. My work should be more fun then it is. I'm thinking its time I see a therapist and get a prescription for something. Any ideas are welcome. I'm just tired of my anxiety getting in my way of life and it's my own doing as I know the more I get out there the more I will see it is really ok! I know in reality there is no threat only from within but yet it does. I'm afraid to take something that will make me gain weight, decrease my sex drive and make me a zombie. It's a hard decision especially when my husband doesn't understand and thinks it s no big deal. Needless to say I don't tell him how I feel most of the time.

Any ideas???

[alankay]

Becki, if a GP is rx'ing the xanax, ask for a referral to a therapist if you really prefer the non drug route.
I was skeptical years ago but I do think most anxiety suffers will benefit from a daily AD(ssri/snri). Allot depends on you and your situation. If you are not doing too badly, have the coverage/money, go the non drug route to talk over your anxiety and what has happened in you life both past and present.
Otherwise consider a trial of say zoloft starting at 25 mg a day they go to 50 mg a day after 2 weeks and hold there for 6 months. Then reevaluate and decide if you should stay on it. At that dose I doubt you have any negative issues at all to amount to anything. I have been on prozac, zoloft, celexa and lexapro and none made me "feel" any different as a human. I have found prozac does the best for me. No side effects and less anxiety/worry in my life which puts you on a trajectory to feeling better/less anxious/worried. It does take time to work(unlike benzos) so why I think 6 months is a fair trial(3 months could also help you find out but heck, give it a fair trial....6 months and go from there).
You could even just stay with the low dose 25 mg for 6 months if you're really worried about a daily med and then decide.
Yep, those who don't feel it, don't understand it in general so sorry the hubby doesn't sympathize more.
Minimize caffeine and alcohol and try and get some aerobic exercise as well. PM me any time. Alankay

[becki]

I saw my dr today and after a nice discussion about my anxiety and how it's effecting my life we agreed to try lexapro 10mg I decided to take one today and get started with it. I go back in a month. She said she has seen positive results with this drug. I was happy she spent more then minutes with me. That would have not sat we'll with me.

Thanks

[maggie tia]

I saw my dr today and after a nice discussion about my anxiety and how it's effecting my life we agreed to try lexapro 10mg I decided to take one today and get started with it. I go back in a month. She said she has seen positive results with this drug. I was happy she spent more then minutes with me. That would have not sat we'll with me.

Thanks

Hey becki I'm the same I don't do anything alone I'm at the stage where I can't even be at home alone.. My dr prescribed me lexapro 10 mg the other day I took one but i decided anti depressant medication isn't for me I didn't like the way it made me feel & I don't want to be stuck on them for ever.. I'm desperately trying to find an alternative to getting better & living my life... Pm me if u ever want to talk I can relate to what ur going thru

[becki]

I'm on day 8 of generic Lexapro and I think it's helping. We went to dinner tonight and even though I was anxious I was able to eat and carry on a conversation without having to use the bathroom. The bathroom would be an escape from the doom of anxiety. Progress feels good. Not 100% anxiety free but I was able to enjoy dinner out with my family and didn't take a Xanax!

[funkstarsista]

That's great Becki!