What to do? Opinions needed?

[Mike9710]

Hello, new to the forum. I have been dealing with undiagnosed GAD for as long as I can remember and to what level of severity I am not sure, but I am not currently taking any medications for this anxiety. I have mostly just dealt with it and tried to avoid anything that will flare it up. I was in school at one point and began taking Buspar, which in my opinion did not really help. I could notice a slight difference, but it was minimal at best. I don't like taking daily meds so I have been thinking of Xanex so I could take it as needed. Here's my question. I'm quite sure I would not be allowed to take this while I am on the job, but this currently where 90% of my anxiety is flared up. Do you guys have any recommendations? Thanks!

[alankay]

A long acting benzo(valium/klonopin) would be better for GAD but why couldn't you use it on the job? Truck/commercial driver? Alankay

[Mike9710]

I'm in the medical field and I do know that taking pain meds like hydrocodone for instance would be a big no no while on the job. So as of now I am only assuming benzos would be frowned upon as well. I know benzos (long or short acting) would do the trick, but I don't see me being able to take them. Not sure what to do exactly.

[alankay]

I would guess zoloft would be the next best thing to try then followed by maybe celexa or the more expensive lexapro. Wish I had better ideas. Alankay

[Mike9710]

Thanks alankay I will look into those a little further.

To the PM sender. I cannot reply yet because of my low post count, but yes that is one that I am trying to avoid for sure. Thank you for your reply and link. I will check it out.

[alankay]

Also ask about Lyrica(pregabalin) for GAD "off label". It's not a benzo and has been approved for that(GAD) over in Europe. See under "uses" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregabalin. Alankay

[Ahlstrom]

Hello, new to the forum. I have been dealing with undiagnosed GAD for as long as I can remember and to what level of severity I am not sure, but I am not currently taking any medications for this anxiety. I have mostly just dealt with it and tried to avoid anything that will flare it up. I was in school at one point and began taking Buspar, which in my opinion did not really help. I could notice a slight difference, but it was minimal at best. I don't like taking daily meds so I have been thinking of Xanex so I could take it as needed. Here's my question. I'm quite sure I would not be allowed to take this while I am on the job, but this currently where 90% of my anxiety is flared up. Do you guys have any recommendations? Thanks!

I got to agree with Alan, a SSRI (Lexapro for me) cured up 90% of my anxiety issues, what specifically don't you like about taking a daily medication?

Also hydrocodone is much more intense than long action klonopin,at least to me it was, I never felt tired or anything on Klonopin and it kept me really calm and normal, Xanax for me was much more intense and did make me sleepy, so I can see why you think you won't be able to use it. It can't harm to at least ask.

[edverona]

After suffering for years from panic attacks and heart palpitations I was getting desperate. The feeling of being trapped in my own home afraid to leave was like being imprisoned. I hated taking medication, and becoming more reliant on Xanax every time I felt a panic attack coming on, starting with heart racing. I found a great natural help product and for two years I have been free of crazy brainstorms and anxiety , I need to share this as I know what a misery it is living with anxiety

[Mike9710]

I'm sure I will be sturring up opinions on this comment, but I have never been crazy about taking medications on a daily basis because in my mind, I am confined/dependent by/on a medication. Idk, I guess it's just a mental thing. The medications I have taken in the past from pain meds, vitamin B-12, antidepressants, anti anxiety to hydrocodone have never done much for me at all using recommended doses and some of them taken in higher doses. So maybe its because I have never felt like it was beneficial to me and that I was only shoveling meds into my system for nothing. I do know however that Xanex works quite well. This is why I was wondering about that particular one.