Anyone on prescription anti-anxiety medication?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone on prescription anti-anxiety medication?

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:30:09 PM EDT

I've never taken a prescription pain/mental health pill in my life. I just need the "worrying" switch in my brain turned off. Is that possible with medication? Doing a quick search I see that the most popular medications to treat severe anxiety are drugs like alprazolam/Xanax, Clonazepam, Klonopin, Valium, and Lorazepam.

Aren't those the pills that junkies break into cars for and sell their grandmother's wedding rings for?

I don't want to feel high or stoned in anyway. I'm not depressed nor am I in any pain. Is it only at large quantities that you get the "high" sensation from those drugs? Do you get chemically dependant on them even at correct prescribed doses from a Doctor?

I need to be able to drive a commercial vehicle at work and those pills just bring up a mental picture of some drug addict stoned out of their minds drooling on themselves.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:32:05 PM EDT

[#1]

All of those drugs could/will make you drowsy. There are several anti-depressants that have an anti-anxiety effect. Talk to a doctor and explain your situation.
They will all make you high to one degree or other. Chemical dependency is a complicated situation. You might get dependent on doctor prescribed dose and you may not.. They may become ineffective and dose may have to be upped. Agaim, your best bet is to see an MD and talk to them.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:34:50 PM EDT

[#2]

Before trying prescription meds, try Kava tea if it's just mild anxiety.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:35:11 PM EDT

[#3]

Some people use benzos recreationally, but people are selling grannies wedding ring for opiods, not benzos.

The CDL may be an issue, it's possible to get a DUI.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:36:44 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Some people use benzos recreationally, but people are selling grannies wedding ring for opiods, not benzos.

The CDL may be an issue, it's possible to get a DUI.

View Quote

People definitely do get addicted to benzos and will do anything for them, Xanax chiefly.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:38:28 PM EDT

[#5]

The number one thing to do if you are taking or are thinking about taking anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant medication is stay out of GD. You'll get the worst advice that you will ever receive. If you feel you have issues with anxiety speak with your doctor there are lots of things to do

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:40:44 PM EDT

[#6]

A have a friend who had anxiety issues and started taking citalopram, not sure if I spelled it correctly.
He said after a few months it really helped his problem. He sure seems happier.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:41:06 PM EDT

[#7]

In my experience, do NOT get on that boat.

Therapy/counseling will teach you how to fix yourself if your willing to try.

Those pills should only be reserved to those who have debilitating depression/anxiety. Its like trying to kill a spider by burning down the house, or using a sledge hammer to push in a thumb tack. The nuclear option. Use only as a last resort.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:41:12 PM EDT

[#8]

I have a family member that takes Paxil for anxiety and it has been working fine for him for years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paroxetine

I would only use drugs as a last resort and you really need to see a doctor to find out what's really going on.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:42:46 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
I've never taken a prescription pain/mental health pill in my life. I just need the "worrying" switch in my brain turned off. Is that possible with medication? Doing a quick search I see that the most popular medications to treat severe anxiety are drugs like alprazolam/Xanax, Clonazepam, Klonopin, Valium, and Lorazepam.

Aren't those the pills that junkies break into cars for and sell their grandmother's wedding rings for?

I don't want to feel high or stoned in anyway. I'm not depressed nor am I in any pain. Is it only at large quantities that you get the "high" sensation from those drugs? Do you get chemically dependant on them even at correct prescribed doses from a Doctor?

I need to be able to drive a commercial vehicle at work and those pills just bring up a mental picture of some drug addict stoned out of their minds drooling on themselves.

View Quote

At low doses you will experience sedation but not anti-anxiety effects. For a humorous explanation as to why, I always refer people to The Last Psychiatrist.

You can, and eventually will get addicted to any benzo eventually. If you taper off, you won't be in "sell my last AR for $50 for 10 pills" mode at any point, though it will be mildly uncomfortable.

You will likely feel "stoned" at first, and eventually acclimate to it. A lot of people report that the drowsiness never goes away. Refer to the article above.

Your CDL and benzos is a super iffy mix. It may or may not be DUI. If you acclimate, you may be OK to drive. I'm not a lawyer, so IDK 'bout this one...

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:45:30 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
I just need the "worrying" switch in my brain turned off.

View Quote

I know this isn't what you asked for, and it's not as convenient as a pill, but exercise and/or meditation can help a lot. I got back in the gym for other reasons, but intense exercise several times a week and some techniques I learned in a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) class have virtually eliminated by anxiety. When I do experience it, it's not nearly as bad. FWIW, I used to take meds for anxiety and depression.

Good luck, OP.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:45:52 PM EDT

[#11]

Get blood test for vitamin D first. I was dealing with depression and anxiety and finally my doc checked for vit D. Sure enough, I was waaaaay low. Feeling so much better now it's hard to believe something so simple can make that much difference.

Ever feel down and dream about spending time on a sun soaked beach for awhile? That kind of difference.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:47:23 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
A have a friend who had anxiety issues and started taking citalopram, not sure if I spelled it correctly.
He said after a few months it really helped his problem. He sure seems happier.

View Quote

Yep, it's crazy cheap too. (Celexa)

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:47:46 PM EDT

[#13]

Oh, try reading How to Make Yourself Happy and Remarkably Less Disturbable before you get on any meds.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:51:12 PM EDT

[#14]

You probably don't need an Rx for that. I'd start with adaptagens, herbs, and supplements. Thst can do lots of good without feeling loopy, or out of it.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:51:18 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
The number one thing to do if you are taking or are thinking about taking anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant medication is stay out of GD. You'll get the worst advice that you will ever receive. If you feel you have issues with anxiety speak with your doctor there are lots of things to do

View Quote

He speaks the truth!

Some SSRI's like Prozac are approved for pilots so the CDL shouldn't be an issue with them.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:53:14 PM EDT

[#16]

before medicating, wouldn't it be prudent to figure out why and what you're so worried about? job? family?

If you're livelihood depends on it, I'd recommend trying everything else before heading down that rabbit hole.

take a vacation, try some meditation, etc. then if you're still worried about everything under the sun, talk to your doc

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:53:55 PM EDT

[#17]

I'd try an ssri like zoloft, Prozac, etc.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:54:43 PM EDT

[#18]

They are safe. Addiction is rare.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:54:56 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yep, it's crazy cheap too. (Celexa)

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
A have a friend who had anxiety issues and started taking citalopram, not sure if I spelled it correctly.
He said after a few months it really helped his problem. He sure seems happier.

Yep, it's crazy cheap too. (Celexa)

IMO if you are one of the people it's good for then yes it can be quite effective. Just pray to god you don't ever have issues if you have to come off it.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:56:17 PM EDT

[#20]

I have been prescribed them before. Just don't use them as a long-term solution and you will be fine.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:57:35 PM EDT

[#21]

as others have said:

talk with a doctor
try exercise/meditation
if those don't work, talk with a doctor again
be careful and judicious with the use of benzos, particularly when operating heavy machinery (my personal opinion is that it seems like a real bad mix. i'm not a doctor.)

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:58:32 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Some people use benzos recreationally, but people are selling grannies wedding ring for opiods, not benzos.

The CDL may be an issue, it's possible to get a DUI.

View Quote

Id rather withdrawal from opiates then benzos. Ive done both.

Posted: 2/24/2017 12:59:23 PM EDT

[#23]

Intense exercise can cure lots of anxiety and doesn't require any crazy pills. Go for a run. Get some sunlight. Hang a heavy bag.

Back when i was in high school all the crazy chicks were on prozac. Fast forward to the early 2000s paxil seemed to be in all the rage. Zoloft after that. My experience is only with females that were on it but every single one of them was rubber room crazy while on their meds, especially after a beer or two, and some even had the side effects to go with it. If they stopped it was an emotional roller coaster with the mood swings. This is all very bro-science but that's my experience and i don't believe in the stuff unless you truly have some kind of chemical imbalance in your brain.

Popping a xanax and having a beer is pretty relaxing though. Or so i hear.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:03:02 PM EDT

[#24]

You wouldn't have a general practitioner perform heart surgery, so don't have one try to fix your head either. Go talk to a psychiatrist and get labs done to rule out underlying issues.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:04:16 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
A have a friend who had anxiety issues and started taking citalopram, not sure if I spelled it correctly.
He said after a few months it really helped his problem. He sure seems happier.

View Quote

This! Stuff worked wonders for me.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:09:15 PM EDT

[#26]

Treating anxiety with drugs is not an exact science.

Also, there is a lot you can do to help treat your anxiety without drugs.

However, there are some people who really can benefit from drugs. For them no amount of mindfulness, exercise, or diet modification helps enough.

ETA: As someone suggested above you should talk to a psychiatrist if you can. Psychologists work for therapy but a psychiatrist can prescribe and will have much more experience with those types of drugs.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:18:44 PM EDT

[#27]

First thing exercise.

Second thing, stop drinking alcohol if you do. I promise if you drink and stop your aniexty will go down a metric shit ton after 3 months of abstinence.

Third, every morning when you wake up tell yourself you'll have a great day. When the mind chatter starts, you stop listening to it and tell yourself everything is great. You feel good, you are happy, everything is great, that mind chatter don't mean nothing! Do this every time over and over again. Slowly the mind chatter will be greatly reduced and you'll feel better.

I ain't no doctor. Just saying.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:20:42 PM EDT

[#28]

OP, what are we talking about here?

Panic attacks, unrelenting insomnia, dizziness, sweating, heart palpitations? Or is this run of the mill "worrying"?

If you are in the first category then seek help now. Those are very real medical issues that are potentially dangerous. They can be caused by out of balance neurotransmitters that no amount of "positive thinking" will fix.

If you are in the second category then consider the following options: exercise, prayer/meditation, vitamin D, L-theanine, Kava, 5-HTP.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:23:56 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

He speaks the truth!

Some SSRI's like Prozac are approved for pilots so the CDL shouldn't be an issue with them.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
The number one thing to do if you are taking or are thinking about taking anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant medication is stay out of GD. You'll get the worst advice that you will ever receive. If you feel you have issues with anxiety speak with your doctor there are lots of things to do

He speaks the truth!

Some SSRI's like Prozac are approved for pilots so the CDL shouldn't be an issue with them.

Pretty much this. GD will result in you taking collodial silver while JUST THINKING POSITIVE MAN.

Might suggest seeing a specialist like a psychiatrist. They will be more familiar with the dosage AND other therapies, like cognitive behavioral. They're all tools in the toolbox to deal with anxiety, sometimes you need a hammer and a wrench to fix something.

The dosage will impact the dependence. At low levels, it may be inconsequential. I had an ex on a pretty high dosage and she had to step down to come off them, but she survived.

Hang in there.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:31:15 PM EDT

[#30]

I was having very bad anxiety and panic attacks. Walked around feeling light headed and like i was high all the time. Had every test imaginable done. Finally was told it was anxiety and to find a psychiatrist. Someone on here suggeste trying L Theanine, it is an extract from black tea which helps with relaxation. It has made a huge difference in my life and helped bring me back to normal. Still have the occasional feeling of anxiety once in a while but only for a little bit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TXY32FY?tag=vglnk-c102-20

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:31:36 PM EDT

[#31]

I was having very bad anxiety and panic attacks. Walked around feeling light headed and like i was high all the time. Had every test imaginable done. Finally was told it was anxiety and to find a psychiatrist. Someone on here suggeste trying L Theanine, it is an extract from black tea which helps with relaxation. It has made a huge difference in my life and helped bring me back to normal. Still have the occasional feeling of anxiety once in a while but only for a little bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Suntheanine-L-Theanine-Double-Strength-Cold-Pressed-Organic/dp/B00TXY32FY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1487957087&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=L theanine&psc=1&tag=vglnk-c102-20

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:37:04 PM EDT

[#32]

Xanax occasionally, prescribed.

I've found when your mind is racing, but you need to get some sleep, Xanax works quickly.

As with any medication, don't drive a bus full of school kids until you know how YOUR BODY reacts to it.

If you REALLY need to sleep for a weekend, Seroquel will do the trick.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:42:29 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
before medicating, wouldn't it be prudent to figure out why and what you're so worried about? job? family?

If you're livelihood depends on it, I'd recommend trying everything else before heading down that rabbit hole.

take a vacation, try some meditation, etc. then if you're still worried about everything under the sun, talk to your doc

View Quote

Good advice.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:49:04 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
They are safe. Addiction is rare.

View Quote

Bullshit. Benzos, particularly xanax, are some of the most addictive drugs on the market. I still don't know how the DEA has them at Schedule 4 considering the huge potential for abuse and addiction. Also, if you become physically dependent on benzos and don't taper properly to get off them, you risk seizures and possibly death.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:49:39 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
First thing exercise.

Second thing, stop drinking alcohol if you do. I promise if you drink and stop your aniexty will go down a metric shit ton after 3 months of abstinence.

Third, every morning when you wake up tell yourself you'll have a great day. When the mind chatter starts, you stop listening to it and tell yourself everything is great. You feel good, you are happy, everything is great, that mind chatter don't mean nothing! Do this every time over and over again. Slowly the mind chatter will be greatly reduced and you'll feel better.

I ain't no doctor. Just saying.

View Quote

This is great advice. Alcohol is a depressant, pot also.

K.I.S.S.

Halt all drug and alcohol use, get blood tested for vitamin D levels, start an exercise regimen if not on one already, research meditation techniques.

Concerning exercise. You don't need to join a gym or get any fancy equipment. Just going on a brisk 1.5 mile walk every day will do wonders. If you can't maintain a 3+ mph pace then amble along for 45 min - 1 hr.

It's been said before, use prescriptions only as last resort!

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:50:34 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
Get blood test for vitamin D first. I was dealing with depression and anxiety and finally my doc checked for vit D. Sure enough, I was waaaaay low. Feeling so much better now it's hard to believe something so simple can make that much difference.

Ever feel down and dream about spending time on a sun soaked beach for awhile? That kind of difference.

View Quote

I think 20 to 50 is normal right?

VITAMIN D 25 HYDROXY - Documented
Result/Status Change:

Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy 25.1 LX 30.0-100.0 ng/mL Documented

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:51:54 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
First thing exercise.

Second thing, stop drinking alcohol if you do. I promise if you drink and stop your aniexty will go down a metric shit ton after 3 months of abstinence.

View Quote

Nope I do not drink.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:54:27 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Intense exercise can cure lots of anxiety and doesn't require any crazy pills. Go for a run. Get some sunlight. Hang a heavy bag.

Back when i was in high school all the crazy chicks were on prozac. Fast forward to the early 2000s paxil seemed to be in all the rage. Zoloft after that. My experience is only with females that were on it but every single one of them was rubber room crazy while on their meds, especially after a beer or two, and some even had the side effects to go with it. If they stopped it was an emotional roller coaster with the mood swings. This is all very bro-science but that's my experience and i don't believe in the stuff unless you truly have some kind of chemical imbalance in your brain.

Popping a xanax and having a beer is pretty relaxing though. Or so i hear.

View Quote

That's explains it as there is NO drinking supposed to be happening with SSRI's or basically any other anxiety/depression medication. Stupid is as stupid does.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:55:30 PM EDT

[#39]

Another +1 for Celexa/citalopram. I took it back when I had a very stressful job and it helped quite a bit. No drugged up feeling, but it just helped me not get as anxious/worried about things.

Posted: 2/24/2017 1:56:07 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
OP, what are we talking about here?

Panic attacks, unrelenting insomnia, dizziness, sweating, heart palpitations? Or is this run of the mill "worrying"?

If you are in the first category then seek help now. Those are very real medical issues that are potentially dangerous. They can be caused by out of balance neurotransmitters that no amount of "positive thinking" will fix.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
OP, what are we talking about here?

Panic attacks, unrelenting insomnia, dizziness, sweating, heart palpitations? Or is this run of the mill "worrying"?

If you are in the first category then seek help now. Those are very real medical issues that are potentially dangerous. They can be caused by out of balance neurotransmitters that no amount of "positive thinking" will fix.

I mean like literally picture Tweek from South Park as a real person.

Quoted:
You wouldn't have a general practitioner perform heart surgery, so don't have one try to fix your head either. Go talk to a psychiatrist and get labs done to rule out underlying issues.

I think I might have to do that first. Thank you.

Posted: 2/24/2017 2:10:07 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
I've never taken a prescription pain/mental health pill in my life. I just need the "worrying" switch in my brain turned off. Is that possible with medication? Doing a quick search I see that the most popular medications to treat severe anxiety are drugs like alprazolam/Xanax, Clonazepam, Klonopin, Valium, and Lorazepam.

Aren't those the pills that junkies break into cars for and sell their grandmother's wedding rings for?

I don't want to feel high or stoned in anyway. I'm not depressed nor am I in any pain. Is it only at large quantities that you get the "high" sensation from those drugs? Do you get chemically dependant on them even at correct prescribed doses from a Doctor?

I need to be able to drive a commercial vehicle at work and those pills just bring up a mental picture of some drug addict stoned out of their minds drooling on themselves.

View Quote

Xanax/Valium etc (Benzodiazepines) are for short term, acute anxiety e.g. panic attacks. They are controlled and can be addictive. If you overdose on them they can give you a high, which is why they are popular on the black market.

Prozac/Zoloft/etc (SSRI's) are for long term, continuing anxiety and depression induced by constant anxiety. These drugs can be very helpful in treating conditions like OCD. But you need to see a counselor or psychiatrist first to find out what your problem is. You don't just go to your general practitioner and say "doc I feel sad can I have Prozac" (because they will probably give it to you but it might not be what you need for your situation). SSRI's take a month+ to gradually take effect and are taken for long term. They do not make worrying thoughts go away, but they take away the anxiety caused by worrying thoughts, if that makes sense. SSRI's can have some very uncomfortable side effects for the first few weeks until your body adjusts, but once you do they usually have only minor or no side effects.

Posted: 2/24/2017 2:22:18 PM EDT

[#42]

I don't have anxiety. People around me have anxiety.

Good luck OP.

Posted: 2/24/2017 2:22:49 PM EDT

[#43]

They take the edge off like having a few drinks, nothing really bothers you. Kolinpin/Conlozepam (sp) is an anti-anxiety and seizure benzo with a very long half-life, you tend to take it at prescribed times. Xanax has a very short half-life and starts working very quickly (which is why people would get additiced to it so easily, Xanax tends to be taken when someone is having a full blown panic/anxiety attack. No experience with the others. Last I read, Kolipin/Conlozepam (sp) shouldn't be prescribed for longer than 9wks.

There are only two things who's withdrawal can kill you; Alcohol and benzos, they generally use benzos over a 5 day period to medically withdraw an alcoholic, under medical supervision.

I was having debilitation anxiety/panic attacks years ago, think being the scariest you have ever been in your life and then double it, plus you know there is nothing to be scared of so you think you are going crazy. A doctor got me hooked on K/C, it worked great, nothing could upset me. Thankfully after a few weeks I only started taking them at night. Then it lost it's effect and he upped the dose... I was on it for years, but I honestly think it had lost it's effect and I was just in the habit of taking one before bed.

I wasn't on a high dose, but the withdrawal was not pleasant... I barely slept for a week, had terrible dreams, night sweats, and was somewhat jumpy. I wouldn't recommend taking them unless it's a last resort. My ex was bi-polar, she had Xanax for a good reason, I would have to go get her in a parking lot often. She would be balled up in her car shaking and crying.

Exercise works, cognitive therapy works very well, you just need to find something to calm you, meditation is great, cut out alcohol if you drink. If you do take them, do not drink on them at all, ever. Anytime I have anxiety I just realize it's my head messing with me and it doesn't get to me.

Personally it doesn't sound like you need them.

Good luck.

Posted: 2/24/2017 2:24:37 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:

IMO if you are one of the people it's good for then yes it can be quite effective. Just pray to god you don't ever have issues if you have to come off it.

View Quote

I've been on an off it many times with no ill effects... Sometimes when I'm sick of f---ing like a porn star I will take a vacation from it.

Your woman will love you OP. Many many many O's in her future if you have the physical strength to keep going...

Posted: 2/24/2017 2:40:19 PM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
In my experience, do NOT get on that boat.

Therapy/counseling will teach you how to fix yourself if your willing to try.

Those pills should only be reserved to those who have debilitating depression/anxiety. Its like trying to kill a spider by burning down the house, or using a sledge hammer to push in a thumb tack. The nuclear option. Use only as a last resort.

View Quote

Therapy and counseling.

More than likely there is something in your life causing the worrying. You need to find out what it is before using medication.

Thats just my IMO I aint no doctor.