To go back on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety meds? advise needed.

m4 · Post by m4 » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:31 am

Hi all,
I started the mid west program in December 07 (this past December). I have been having bad panic attacks in the past month, lots of stress, relationship stress and family stress. I have been missing work, which is not good, it is now effecting my job. I love my job for the most part. I am home today b/c of my anxiety. I have a prescription of xanax that I use for emergencies and for when I fly (which is not that often). I take 1/2 a pill and sometimes a full pill. the xanax pill dosage that I have is .25mg.
I went off of Lexapro in January of 08. Lexapro definately made me less anxious but I felt weird on it, i was on it for 2 years. I do not want to be on anti-depressants, but now, I really don't know what my options are. xanax or clonezepan (spelling?) are both addicting but the xanax does work in the moment of panic (kicks in - in about 10 minutes). Does anyone know if there is a non-addicting anti-anxiety drug?
I am missing work now and I just started with a personal coach from StressCenter, so I don't know what to do. my anxiety is worse lately and I can't be missing work. Does anyone have any advise?
Should I take a leave of absense from work, so that I can focus on getting better without medication? or should I take some meds and continue to work? Also, I get severe headaches the next day after I take the xanax. but I think I need to take something to get me through this rough time and to help me to get me to work.
any advise and/or your experience?
Thanks,
Mary

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:04 am

Hello. If you feel that work is adding stress to your situation then I would take an absence of leave in order to get yourself well again. Remeber that your health is much more important than anything else. If you are only using an anti-depressant as a temporary measure then I would take them to give you the breathing space in order to work on your health. Hope that this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:59 am

Mary,
To answer you main question, no, there is no magic pill that will fix this for you. I'm sorry I wish there was. You are facing what we all face, fear from our own subconcise mind.
The really good news is that this is fixable

It kind of sounds like you may have gotten off Lexapro too fast. After being on it for 2 years it should take you at least 3 months to wean off it. During that time you must practice your CBT skills, watch your diet and get plenty of exercise. Otherwise you can wind up right back where you started. But, since you are already off the lex, I wouldn't go back on it. The Xanax can be used occasionally but be careful, it's quite addicting. And it can also be like a crutch keeping you from growing out of this problem.

Did you complete the Stress study course? If so, you should already know about diet and exercise and CBT skills. If not, I recommend you do so now. I know it's not easy, but it sounds like you do need to start making some changes in your life. You have to put yourself first and take care of your inner child. Remember to practice relaxation techniques every day.
You ARE going to get past this, you ARE going to be ok.
Take some deep breaths and just let the feeling of release flow from the top of your head all the way down to your toes. You are going to be fine. God Bless you and peace be with you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:16 am

Xanax is also a mild anti-depressant so it has a two-fold use. I would go for the Xanax in the short term.

derfy · Post by **derfy** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:02 pm

Originally posted by artistguy:
Hello. If you feel that work is adding stress to your situation then I would take an absence of leave in order to get yourself well again. Remeber that your health is much more important than anything else. If you are only using an anti-depressant as a temporary measure then I would take them to give you the breathing space in order to work on your health. Hope that this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:57 pm

Hi all, thanks for your words and help.
I weaned myself off of lexapro over 7 months! I am really sensitive to medication and I had originally weaned myself off of lexapro over one month as my doctor had suggested. well, i took matters into my own hands and went back on it after a month of terrible withdrawal and weaned myself off of it over a 7 month period, that is how long it took me. I stopped in December and to think of going back on it or some other anti depressant just sounds awful. I have been working this program since December and I just started with a coach last week. I am feeling better today but I have missed, so far, about 4 days of work. Any more thoughts woudl be great. but i hear what folks are saying... there is no magic pill, but I just wonder if I should go back on some meds to get me thru this rough period, where I have alot more family and personal stress. peace to all.
Mary

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:43 pm

Mary,

I recommend you continue working. There wasn't a day during the year I suffered from panic attacks and generalized anxiety that I didn't think about taking a leave of absence from work. I think this is a natural thought when your exhausted and fighting anxiety. I stuck with it and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I'm happy to report that I recently received a promotion and I am very happy. But, like I said, there wasn't a day that went by during my anxious period that I didn't want to just give up. It was so hard..... Having said that, perhaps your job isn't as fulfilling and letting go of something that causes you tremendous stress may be beneficial. I wish you all the best.

Lisa

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:44 am

Thanks Lisa, I like my job actually. it is stress of family and my personal life that is not so good. Driving to work across a very long bridge with no breakdown lane causes me anxiety, but at work, I like my job. I just feel that I need an extra day a week to take care of myself, walk, cook healthy, etc.
I will just keep thinking about all this.
Thanks to all.
Mary

Ocean · Post by **Ocean** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:40 am

I think you should keep working as taking that leave of absence could be a slippery-slope into agoraphobia. I say this from experience as I found the more "adjusted" for my anxiety, the more I needed to adjust, you know. As far as the meds, a very low dose of zoloft or Lexapro might help you out of your current episode. Resolve to stay on the meds for 6 months and work extensively on the program and yourself, and then go off. I believe it can be done if you have faith that it will work. Good luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:11 am

but I think I need to take something to get me through this rough time and to help me to get me to work

Take the advice that seems most appropriate for you here, add it to what you already think, make a decision, and learn from it. That's what works the best, go with your gut. Best of luck to you.