Anxiety and exaggerated response to medications--anyone else?

[kiwi]

Hi everyone,

So, along with my anxiety problems, I'm terrified to take medication of any kind for fear of the side-effects. I don't know how to treat my anxiety problem if I'm too afraid to take the pills. I seem to suffer from every single side-effect possible, which worsens my anxiety. Also, one of the primary symptoms I have with anxiety is dizziness--and a lot of medications list that as their primary or one of their primary side effects. What do I do?

When I force myself to take a pill for something, I get extremely anxious--then I can't tell if the medication is making me freak out, or the anxiety itself. I took a Claritin this morning, and it seems to have turned up the volume on my anxiety to the point where I contemplated going to the ER, because I felt like I was going crazy.

If anyone has any suggestions about how someone like me could start taking meds for anxiety, I would really appreciate it. I really don't want to live with anxiety anymore. I love life and I love people, and this mental/emotional/spiritual disease is stopping me from being the person that I want and need to be.

Thank you.

kiwi
 

[1Peter5:7]

I am in the exact same situation you are in. I've tried two different medications, but can't stay on them because the sydefects increase my anxiety and panic attacks, regardless of how minor the sydefect is. Each time I've started a new med (twice now) I end up in the ER.

I'm trying to work through this to take medicine, but it seems to make it worse... Let me know what you find out.

[Loriebell1016]

Raises Hand! Me too... I was on zoloft 10 years ago. It worked fine but getting on it was horrible. I layed in my bed for almost 4 weeks with one straight panic attack the whole time. It was horrible. I did work though that though and the meds worked. But now, I'm in a rut again and CAN NOT go throught that again. I work and have a 2 year old so there is no laying in bed for me... It depresses me that I feel like I have to beat this all mentally. I wish there was just a magic pill. Wouldn't that be wonderful. I hate that my body is so SSRI sensitive.

[mjd30]

Well, I had never really been anxious about taking medications, until I had a bad experience with Celexa. I had a lot of side effects, my anxiety went through the roof...I was confused and even started hallucinating. Needless to say, this freaked me out! So I stopped taking it, called my Dr. and got switched to something else. But it took me two days to muster up the courage to take it. ut you know what? I haven't had any side effects from the new meds. And even though I freaked out over the side effects I experienced with the Celexa, they went away.

There are side effects for every medication out there. Sometimes you may experience them...other times you won't. The thing you have to remember though is that you can just stop taking the med if the side effects are too severe. There are plenty of meds out there, and finding the right one is sometimes a trial and error process.

My Dr. gave me Xanax 0.25mg....very low dose to help get me through the rough patches until my medicine kicks in. Maybe you can do the same while starting this new med? Get a low dose of a benzo just to get you through. I'm not one to be a pill pusher and I take my xanax sparingly and the sooner the better for me as to coming off of it, but it may help with your anxiety about taking the meds.

Another thing you can do that may help ease your mind is to write a list of pros and cons about taking the meds. If you don't start the med, you are still going to be experiencing all these anxiety symptoms. You know this. If you take the pill though, you might experience side effects...that is still an unknown. Instead of thinking about the possible side effects you might have, try to focus on all the ways it may potentially help!

[Noahs Mom]

I wish I knew a good tip or trick about taking meds... I'm a "side effect" person, too.  No one believed me (doctors) until I spoke to my dietitian; she's the same way.  It's so frustrating, just gotta keep on finding something that works for you... start with as low of a dose as possible.

[theunrealme]

Hi.... I could have written your post ! I had a bad se story with paxil 4.5 years ago and since then I can't really take anything except motrin and Tylenol is ok..... I even get nervous to take vitamins! I sound ridiculous to friends, doctors and family but I get too apprehensive. And drs have written prescrips for everything, Xanax, celexa, Valium, depakote even! Nothing I take nothing. Last month,I was written a scrip forrisperadal which at the lowest dose is used for anxiety ( higher doses is anti psychotic).... So I filled it and no generic brand either--- the real $50 deal... It's sitting in the med cabinet... Won't touch it but I really want to, I just will myself to get better help with the med! My hubby was off for 2 weeks and said he would " hold my hand" while I take it but I justcouldnt do it..... I'm in the same boat:( but at least knowing your not alone should help some.... (sorry thetyping is bad--/ iPhone is pretty bad!)

[Black Llama]

Up until age 30 I never took anything. Sure there were some rough patches in my teen years, but I was generally healthy. Then I was sick for a long time and developed adult onset type 1 diabetes, which triggered my panic disorder.

Usually I hate taking meds, but between 7 or 8 shots of insulin a day, you just get used to it. I will say this, Zoloft was terrible, and Celexa was even worse. I had side effects on both of those within 2 days of starting treatment. Zoloft was just of the sexual kind, but the celexa was terrible. I had nightmares, shaking, depression, suicidal thoughts you name it. I'm on pristiq now and it seems to be working great, just about a week in, so fingers crossed. I hope that you can find the right meds that work for you.

[kiwi]

THANK YOU, everyone, for your kind and understanding words.

Do any of you know if SAM-E works for anxiety?

Kiwi
 

[Duckie]

I also can't take meds.  I tried Paxil for a month, and the side effects were horrible, so no more SSRI's for me!!
But I'm here to tell you that you can get through this without them, too.  I've been housebound a few times in my life, and I've gotten out and about twice without meds.  There's lots of tools you can use to help yourself, like deep breathing techniques, and distraction. 
I clean my house when I feel panicky.  It's a great distraction.  If you're not home when anxiety hits, you can count the number of blue cars that pass by, or count the change in your pocket without looking at it.  If you're walking, count the squares in the sidewalk.  Or talk to the person you're with.  The idea is to not get inside your head.  Stay in the moment. 
These are just a few ideas if you decide not to take meds.  But it's always your decision. 
As for SAM-E, I've heard of it for anxieity, but I don't remember knowing anyone who has taken it. 
Let us know how you're doing..........

[pippip]

I am so glad I found your post. I just tried my first med in a 7 year anxiety battle this week, and believe I had a bad reaction to it. However the Doc thinks it was just my anxiety increasing, although I've experienced plenty of anxiety but nothing quite like that.

I'm terrified to try again(I only stayed on it for a day), but am also feeling hopeless that if I can't take meds I will never get back to the way I was before.

Just letting you know you aren't alone!! ^_^