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Nervous about medication.

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 12/25/2015 11:47 AM (GMT -5)
My doc gave me propanolol (10 mg twice a day) and xanax to try and get me through right now until I make some progress on my thyroid, adrenals, and emotional issues. I've been taking the propanolol twice a day. I don't think it's doing anything, but I can't shake the feeling that it's making things worse. I also don't take the xanax because I'm scared I'm going to become addicted to it. Anyone else ever feel like that about medication? I didn't feel good before starting the propanolol, but now I'm trying to blame the sense of dread and anxiousness I feel on it. It's a really low dose, so I doubt it could be doing much.
Posted 12/25/2015 8:15 PM (GMT -5)
WW, just my .02 cents worth, I had ptsd for over twenty years and when the doctor offered me xanax i was
also afraid, however i now think it saved my life, i took it for over ten years, never became addicted or even
close as i learned ways to fight the anxiety and panic i wanted to see if i could quit them, i quit by halfing my
prescribed dosage every month until i no longer needed it, i did have a bad day about every six weeks but it was not withdrawal it was those out of the blue panic things, eventually they just stopped. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 12/25/2015 9:43 PM (GMT -5)
Hi WW,

I am sorry you are having worries regarding your Rx's...along with everything else you are dealing with.:(

Propanolol is not in the class of meds that is known to initially increase anxiety...like say an SSRI/SNRI.

So it is likely just your regular anxiety you are experiencing...

...however, this should start to improve for you as you gain recovery and practice your coping skills.

The Xanax will be especially helpful for the times of acute anxiety or during an attack.

If taken as needed/as prescribed, you should not need to fear an addictions issue. (this is usually just a concern with those who have had previous substance abuse issues, or for those who take more than what their doctor has recommended.)

Wishing you the best in your journey...keep us posted on your progress, okay?

S.C.
Posted 12/25/2015 9:43 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Larry. How did you overcome your PTSD? I have it as well from being sexully abused as a child. I just started admitting that about a month ago and just started therapy with a really good guy. It got (and still is so bad) I can give myself a panic attack where my skin feels like I have a light sunburn if I think about being molested. I'm scared there is no way out, but I'm giving it my best shot. Peace and love to you.
Posted 12/25/2015 11:11 PM (GMT -5)
Mine was from military,
both my Daughters were abused by a family member, they both are ok now but during their HS years it was a rough ride, they didnt tell me about the abuse until they were in their late twentys.

This is the short answer, i told them that by having these attacks they were allowing the abuser to abuse them every day, the difference was this time they were allowing it to happen. it took a few years to work it out but they did now we can even talk about it, see they were experiencing pleasure from it and felt guilty when they found out it was wrong, he quit messing with them when they were about 6-7 thinking they would not remember. I hope you find your own answer, it is there somewhere dont give up. Peace
Larry ***
Posted 12/26/2015 11:03 AM (GMT -5)
That's an interesting take Larry. Each attack is allowing the abuse to continue. My problem is that I don't know if I believe 100% that the sexual abuse is what causes my anxiety and bad feelings. Since they started a year and a half ago, all the docs (except the one I see now) told me all my problems were physical. It's a warped deal, but in my mind I'm paranoid about having Lyme disease and that seems to take up more room than feelings about the abuse, even though I had a panic attack about the abuse just the other night. I'm trying to get it sorted out but it's confusing and difficult. I have never admitted it to my mom. My dad left when I was young, so I don't factor him in. I feel guilty for not telling my mom, but it would destroy her and she has enough of her own problems. I don't want to add anything in. Hopefully admitting it to girlfriend and my therapist is enough to recover.
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