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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by xraverchic on July 6, 2004, at 15:57:45
I have a horrible, debilitating anxiety regarding needles. Really bad - the usual symptoms include pulse over 200 bpm, hyperventilation to the point of needing oxygen, absolutely uncontrollable hysteria, etc. I had several really bad (medical, not recreational) experiences when I was younger.
I have no choice - I have to take a blood test. My MD is worried about my thyroid levels, blood sugar levels, etc. I've had some icky symptoms recently, and we can't move on without a complete blood work up.
My MD gave me a RX for Xanax (.5/mg), which did nothing for my anxiety, even when I took 4 at once. Yesterday, she gave me a RX for Ativan (.5/mg), and told me to try again. 1-2 per mouth, as needed. She said in her office I could take more if necessary.
I am currently taking Wellbutrin XL (150 mg). I also have a RX for Klonopin (.5 mg) that I used in the winter for insomnia.
Any advice? Personal experience? I am going to take 1 Ativan today, and 2 tomorrow if today doesn't work, just to see if the dosing is enough. I am hoping to get the blood work done Thursday, because my husband doesn't have patients in the afternoon. I really wish I could just suck it up and deal with the needle, but the anxiety and panic are absolutely out of control.
Should I take more Ativan? Add a Klonopin? Something else?
Posted by xraverchic on July 6, 2004, at 20:15:45
In reply to Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!!, posted by xraverchic on July 6, 2004, at 15:57:45
Update - took one Ativan (.5 mgs) at 5:00. Nothing. Took another at 7:30 (.5 mgs). Nothing still.
Getting quite nervous!
Posted by Fred23 on July 6, 2004, at 23:55:32
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!!, posted by xraverchic on July 6, 2004, at 20:15:45
> Update - took one Ativan (.5 mgs) at 5:00. Nothing. Took another at 7:30 (.5 mgs). Nothing still.
Is that real, name brand, Wyeth Ativan, or a generic lorazepam?
I've posted in several places here how I found the generic essentially ineffective compared to the name brand.
And what I've seen from others is that most for most of the benzos, name brand is significantly better than generic.
Don't forget that Ativan can take from 1 to 4 hours to reach its peak level. If your system is "used to" benzos you may need a higher dose. 0.5 mg of Ativan is about the same "power" as 0.25 mg of Xanax or Klonopin.
Posted by xraverchic on July 6, 2004, at 23:58:25
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!! » xraverchic, posted by Fred23 on July 6, 2004, at 23:55:32
It is the generic. I didn't even think to ask, and my pharmacy gave my the generic. Could explain why I don't feel anything.
If you take a depressant, with another different depressant, do they cancel each other out, or just increase the systematic depressive qualities?
Posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 7:06:11
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!! » Fred23, posted by xraverchic on July 6, 2004, at 23:58:25
Just as an aside, have you considered that the Wellbutrin XL is a contributor to some of the anxiety you are having?
Posted by Bill LL on July 7, 2004, at 8:41:10
In reply to Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!!, posted by xraverchic on July 6, 2004, at 15:57:45
There is a completely painless way to have blood taken. An anesthetic cream is put on the arm. The patient then waits about 30 minutes. The blood is then taken and no sensation is felt.
Labs do not necessarily like to do it this way since it can slow down their flow of patients and to the best of my knowledge (in the US) most insurance companies will not pay extra for it.
Call some labs and see if they will give you the cream. Otherwise, call your doctor and ask him/her to give it to you before you go to the lab.
Posted by xraverchic on July 7, 2004, at 10:58:00
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!!, posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 7:06:11
Yes, and no. I have had my anxiety since childhood, after a stay in the hospital for pneumonia. I have only been on ADs for 10 months, so I know the anxiety was there before.
That being said, I just changed from Zoloft to Wellbutrin, because my libido was shot. When I was on Zoloft, I was sooo calm and happy. Zoloft was fabulous except for the libido thing. I know that I am a lot crankier on Wellbutrin. Maybe Wellbutrin is having a countering effect against the Xanax/Ativan/etc. Is that possible?
Posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 14:33:52
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!! » Glydin, posted by xraverchic on July 7, 2004, at 10:58:00
Sorry about the Zoloft and the libido SE. When something works to do what it should but the SE's are not tolerable, it's always a shame. I asked regarding the WB XL as I did try it. Mind you, I'm the anxiety ridden problem and not so much the depression problem. I was on Klonopin during the WB XL trial. My anxiety increased ten fold during the med trial (6 weeks). I had a return of panic attacks and my agoraphobia was creeping back. The Klonopin didn't seem to "handle" the excess anxiety. The one thing I did observe was great energy, but the energy was "purposeless", if that makes sense?? --- unfocusable due to anxiety. I knew going into the trial that ramping up the norephi might cause me problems, but the feeling was the XL version was a smoother delivery system with less peaks and valleys. It just didn't work out for me, but is great for others.
Since you mentioned the WB XL, I thought I would ask.
Posted by crazychickuk on July 8, 2004, at 2:48:19
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!! » xraverchic, posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 14:33:52
maybe go bk to the zoloft and add remeron to help with the lib probs.. welburtin is well known to cause anxiety.... also there is cream you can have put on your arm anasthetic and they can take blood with out you even knowing, my daughter has it ..
best of luck
Posted by chemist on July 8, 2004, at 17:53:48
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!! » Glydin, posted by xraverchic on July 7, 2004, at 10:58:00
> Yes, and no. I have had my anxiety since childhood, after a stay in the hospital for pneumonia. I have only been on ADs for 10 months, so I know the anxiety was there before.
>
> That being said, I just changed from Zoloft to Wellbutrin, because my libido was shot. When I was on Zoloft, I was sooo calm and happy. Zoloft was fabulous except for the libido thing. I know that I am a lot crankier on Wellbutrin. Maybe Wellbutrin is having a countering effect against the Xanax/Ativan/etc. Is that possible?hello there, chemist here...you have gone from an SSRI to a (mostly) NERI, and wellbutrin will prove to be more stimulating than your previous med. thus, i think your conjecture is highly probable, and that a reduction in wellbutrin (in consultation with your doctor, of course) would be a quicker fix than loading up on a variety of benzos. in my opinion, given the rather short washout time for wellbutrin, that you might find this an attractive option, in that it ought to work quickly....all the best, chemist
Posted by xraverchic on July 8, 2004, at 20:57:06
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!! » xraverchic, posted by chemist on July 8, 2004, at 17:53:48
Thanks guys for all of your input. It was a fasting test, so I took 6 Ativan (.5 mg)an hour before the test, which took off the edge but didn't really do any more. I also had Lidocaine RX, which for the record is a big freaking waste of money. Did nothing. Waste of an RX.
The test was the best ever - still traumatic, but not nearly as bad as previous test. I barely even bruised. NO fainting, no profanity, not having to be taped down to the table. All in all, good stuff. I cried, focusing on my DH, and I begged him three times not to let them put it in. After the second is supposedly when the stuck me. I thought they were tightening the arm cord - like a pinch, but certain not like the agony of the dreaded needle.
The Ativan kicked in on the drive home - all kinds of stoned, double vision. Woot woot.
Passed out when we got back home, and stayed asleep for 6 hours. Waking up to get some snack, and then am back to bed.
All in all, good.
Thank you all so much!
Posted by chemist on July 8, 2004, at 21:17:05
In reply to Re: Severe anxiety - suggestions plz!!!, posted by xraverchic on July 8, 2004, at 20:57:06
This is the end of the thread.
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