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View Full Version : Switching meds lorazepam and alprazolam. And a little advice on living with anxiety?



Missyd
01-31-2014, 07:27 PM
Switching meds lorazepam and alprazolam. And a little advice on living with anxiety?

I am new to all this forum stuff so bear with me I posted this same thing under general discussion because I didn't see the medications category and cant figure out how to delete from general discussion?


ok so my regular PCP put me on Alprazolam last year, I was scared to take it but I had debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. Any how I think I refilled it twice before I could get in to see a psychiatrist who told me to quit taking the Xanex and he put me on Ativan .5 mg 3x a day ( and Lamictal ) So I have been taking the ativan for less than 2 months ( my second refill was on the 4th of this month ) I went back to the psychiatrist today and he decided that I should be on Xanex.5mg 3x a day so to stop the Ativan ( and he increased the lamictal ) He said that Xanex is bad for some people but I am the person it is made for yadda yadda ( they are actually known for being very conservative with medications that is why I went )

So when can I switch? I took my morning and afternoon Ativan already before my appointment? The doctor failed to mention anything like that just to start the zanex and stop the ativan?

Another thing my pharmacist said my insurance might not let me get the Xanex because I was just on Ativan, ( there wasn't a problem when I switched the first time I just through out my remaining zanex which I wish I wouldn't have now being that now I am suppose to take them again ) I have 4 days left of Ativan and no refills so I don't understand why they wouldn't fill the Xanex

Anyhow what should I take tonight. Ativan or nothing? ( or Xanex I think they will fill it) I have been having terrible breathing problems I can't get enough oxygen, I yawn, and sigh and I am so uncomfortable I swear I am dying but 2 doctors told me several times it is slow hyperventilation my lungs are fine and it all anxiety ( which is so hard to believe I have been doing the brown paper bag thing too )

Any additional info will be great. It is embarrassing to be on benzos but it is also embarrassing when my kids have to make up excuses why they can't do things when it is really because mom hasn't driven on the highway in 9 years due to panic attacks, because mom is freaking out, because mom needs to go home because she is worried the house is on fire. I have done a ok job hiding my anxiety issues but I am tired of missing out and having a poor quality of life and my kids... over the summer my daughter was offered a scholarship to very expensive fine arts school program for acting, but she had to decline because I couldn't drive her there everyday because I was scared, and that is just one tiny thing we have missed out on.

Missyd
01-31-2014, 07:47 PM
My social anxiety extends to the internet too :( I don't do forums, chats, or anything that could make me feel upset or left out. Really wish someone could help me with my question. I think signing up here just made things worse. I already feel exposed, embarrassed, ignored, and stupid. What the hell is wrong with me?

Th13thOne
01-31-2014, 08:30 PM
I'm going to read it. I'm kinda slow, lol. See if I'm any help...

Th13thOne
01-31-2014, 08:36 PM
I can relate in a way.. I feel the same about my daughter missing out on things because I'm not working (anxiety & depression) and can't afford some things right now.

As far as the meds go, someone super knowledgeable will answer shortly I'm sure. Great group of people here.

Dahila
01-31-2014, 09:27 PM
Myssyd welcome to the forum. this forum is the last place you will be embarrassed, or ignored or make to look stupid. I honestly believe in people here. They are kind, smart, funny and they relate. We all are on the same wagon. Please do not mind my language skills, English is my second language.
I am on benzos for years, the true is I am off and on, lately constantly on....
I would think Ativan and Xanax (never was on the last one) have the same short life time. You can decide Ativan or Xanax tonight, I think without any problems. Both benzos...
I am on ativan only when the panic attack hits. Lately is very good:))
someone will post here shortly, just calm down:))
I can relate to your problems, it took me years to get to drive....

Perses
02-01-2014, 02:34 PM
Dear Missyd,

Both the Xanax and the Ativan belong to the same class of drugs, as you know, benzos. I believe that the difference primarily lies in how quickly the drug affects you or how long each drug lasts. I think your pharmacist is being a total pain, but the generic versions of these drugs are quite cheap, if for some reason your insurance doesn't pick it up, which it should. Because benzos are abused, the controls placed on them by state governments are pretty strict, and that might be why your pharmacist was worried. I have gotten both Xanax and Klonopin at the same time, and my insurance, and pharmacy, Walgreens, didn't care one way or the other. So, don't let the problems with insurance get you too worked up. It's bureaucratic, not personal.

As Dahlia said, I think you could take either one. The Xanax is quicker acting, and, thus, more potent. I have taken clonazepam for 18ish years now, and about 5 years ago, my doctor -- accidently - switched me from clonazepam to lorazepam. I took it for three months, and didn't feel any different, but didn't want to take a drug three times a day, so when I asked for my 3 month refill, I told him to put me back on clonazepam. I used to take both clonazepam and Xanax at night about 16 years ago, and, then, I decided I didn't need both, and stopped the Xanax. Now I just take it for really high stress situations.

I think benzos are not embarrassing to be on if you have anxiety and the drugs help you manage it! The drug is a tool, that when properly used, helps people stabilize. It should be used in conjunction with other means of treating anxiety. I'm particularly happy that you are going to a psychiatrist. That's excellent. It's what I do. Again, it's not a cure-all. I still get anxiety, even on my benzos. But, it's more manageable.

Good luck. It strikes me that fear of highway driving might be helped by immersion therapy or try driving lessons just on the highway. In other words, look for other avenues to help you work on your driving. [I don't even know how to drive. :) I've lived in cities all my life. Still, I tell people that I take my anti-anxiety medication because I don't want my anxiety to rule my life -- I don't want to miss out because of fear itself.

alankay
02-02-2014, 08:00 AM
I think ativan is a better drug. Xanax should be reserved more for phobias. It has a longer half life so your body has time to get used to the blood level drop where xanax goes away faster.
If you have no depression that's another reason to drop xanax as it has an antidepressant effect as well.
Just switch.
Also clean up you diet to whole foods, minimum caffeine and alcohol, no nutrasweet or MSG, refined sugars and get some light exercise and outside time. Consider a safe supplement like l-typtophan daily.
Have you met with a therapist yet to see if a source for anxiety can be found and addressed? Alankay

Missyd
02-02-2014, 09:25 AM
The driving thing is nuts because before I just quit, I was driving from Houston Tx, to cities about an hour away every day. But that was 9 years ago I also don't work, the last 3 jobs I had I quit the minute someone was rude to me then dwelled on it forever I mean I still sit up and night and get upset about stuff that happened years ago I mean stuff from 5-17 years ago. My daughters that I mentioned their dad beat the living tar out of me regularly from the time I was 16-21 I never told anyone and one night it was really bad and someone else called the police and my secret was out I have been away from him 9 years and I finally filled child support 3 months ago it was the scariest thing I ever did that was a big step because I still let him manipulate me for so long. Hell when he after he tried to kill me I dropped the charges and 6 months later let him convince me to let the kids live with him for 18 months his family turned on me my family turned on me told me I should of learned to shut my mouth and not make him mad ( but it wasn't like that I would be all happy go lucky and out of the blue he would just push me down and start at it ). I do need to see a therapist but my insurance won't cover that I tried womens centers but the statue of limitation is over no one cares that I still have issues all this time later. The weird thing was after I was free from him I was the happiest I had ever been I had no issues at all, it wasn't till recently it really started to bother me and I feel stupid because I should be over it right? Back to medications the place I go is real conservation with meds and he was the second Doctor that thought Xanex was more suited for me, but the long term goal is for the Lamicatal to cure me. It is suppose to be the miracle drug and I have had no side affects! I have tried so many anti-depressants and they were horrible and didn't help. I was..... this is embarrassing completely sexually dysfunctional, If my husband so much as hugged me it would make my skin crawl, everyone of the drugs I tried did that to me, or made my throat feel weird, or made my limbs hurt. Hell after taking effexor I didn't sleep for 4 days and hallucinated ( my endocrinologist put me on that ). I should also mention I have P.O.T.S syndrome ( one a corticosteroid for that ) and on top of that my heart races I mean 130 bpm under any kind of stress ( another reason they thought xanex was better ) I also have PMDD and the mood stabilizer doesn't even touch that problem and they keep upping my progesterone for that....I am trying to exercise daily but I have to take it easy light cardio. Thanks for the advice. One other thing How do you deal with the pharmacy staff treating you like a drug addict, I mean their are some really nice staff and pharmacist that always help me with all my questions, but then there is the others, heck if I see certain people working I will walk out and have my husband pick up my RX.