Hi everyone!

I have Fibromyalgia. I also have major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD. The nurse practitioner at the therapy group that I go to had prescribed a mild benzodiazepine. I used to be a pharmacy technician before Fibro changed my life. I refuse to allow myself to become addicted to such a class of drugs. I know have to see my therapist weekly and the psychiatrist monthly. He and I bickered back and forth until we came to agree on 1/2mg twice a day.

I really feel like they don't understand the way everything works together. My daughter is getting married in 2 weeks so things are getting hectic. I keep 2 of my grandkids while their parents work. I am having my 2nd cataract surgery in a couple of days and there is still a possibility of needing corneal transplants and I also have primary optic atrophy. I just feel like I am a bit on edge. My son popped open some Pillsbury biscuits and I jumped.

I had never been anxious like this when I was younger. It seems to get worse as I get older. Has anyone else experienced worsening of their anxiety as they get older? I will only be turning 50 in March.

I've probably become less anxious generally as I've aged but I've figured out a lot of "work arounds" and always try to be one step ahead of it all. I had a head injury some years ago now and that really affected my anxiety greatly for a number of different reasons. Thankfully I finally seemed to push through all that although I always have problems in social situations. It's just the way I've always been.

Plus, life changes and I don't have the same pressures on me. There are still pressures, but they're different. People have anxiety for so many different reasons. It's a huge umbrella term really.

There are other medications aside from the benzos. My daughter was prescribed Propranolol at a very low dose at one time. She was only to use it on an as needed basis. For example, if she needed to present part of her assignments in front of her whole Uni class.

That was changed over to Lexapro earlier in the year when things were becoming overwhelming for her for various reasons. She also deals with a number of other conditions so like you, it's complex. It was difficult at first but she's doing extremely well now. Her social anxiety levels are much better too. She also has an amazing Psychologist who has helped her immensely.

Is the 1/2mg twice per day helping you? Do you think this increased anxiety is hormone related? That happens you know.

You sound as if you have an awful lot on your plate. All the very best to your for your surgery.

Hi bd, you have a lot going on in your life right now. My symptoms can wax and wane depending on what is going on in my life, but I have found that by communicating to people around me how I feel or how unexpected things can set me off I have been able to take measures to get through the day. For instance, I started work again this year, staff realised that by walking into my office or the kitchen unannounced causes me to jump, gasp and panic, just because I'm not expecting it, so now, they start talking before they reach the room so I am aware that they are there. It's little things like that which make a difference.

I would agree that my symptoms have worsened as I've gotten older, probably because I'm aware of them more. I have been prescribed benzos previously and they worked for the period in which I needed them. Perhaps your nurse realised with a wedding round the corner that emotions run high and you could do with the extra support just for a short time. See how you are after the wedding and ask if you can titrate down and stop them.

I am once again no longer on benzos, I have a dislike for them, but I do recognise there are periods when I need them and they have helped. Once I'm through the crisis I cut down and go back to none at all. I learned this the hard way, at one time I was on 2mg Xanax for well over 12 months, it's very addictive and I believe that when I stopped it contributed to a grand mal seizure (2012), now when prescribed it, I will only take it for a month at the most, first three days at whatever prescribed dose (last time .5 mg a day) and then I begin cutting it down so that by the time the month is up I'm on only a minimal minimal amount and it is easy to stop. Sorry I can't be of much more help. Enjoy the wedding

[QUOTE=bddouglas;1179773]Hi everyone!

I really feel like they don't understand the way everything works together. My daughter is getting married in 2 weeks so things are getting hectic. I keep 2 of my grandkids while their parents work. I am having my 2nd cataract surgery in a couple of days and there is still a possibility of needing corneal transplants and I also have primary optic atrophy. I just feel like I am a bit on edge. My son popped open some Pillsbury biscuits and I jumped.

Well, I am already on 300mg of Topamax and 90 mg of Cymbalta. The Cymbalta seems to help with the Fibro pain and definitely helps the Topamax control my daily migraines. I used to take up to 100mg of Propranalol twice a day to try to control my migraines and it helped with my blood pressure but slowed my heart rate too much.

I had a complete hysterectomy in June (I was menopausal anyway) so it's not hormonal in that sense. I refuse to take more than 1/2mg. It is Klonopin and I refuse to allow them to have me addicted to a benzodiazipine. I was a certified pharmacy tech. I have seen what it can do and I just will not do it.

My surgery went well. Ophthalmologist is optimistic that I will only need reading glasses by the end of November and the primary optic apathy is just a light retinal disc...the nerves and muscles are fine according to her.

I honestly think my PTSD is most of the cause of my anxiety and with the Fibro I have sensitivity to noise anyway.

PamelaJune,

Thank you for your response. I was a certified pharmacy tech until Fibro took my life from me. I know how addictive the benzos are. They have me on Klonopin and I just absolutely refuse to take more than 1/2 mg. It will be easier for the psychiatrist wean me from them later. He is thinking 6 months, maybe a year.

They don't realize that they are focusing on the anxiety and panic disorders. If they would help me with the PTSD (caused by sexual abuse, spousal abuse, and both ex-husbands attempting to kill me when they realized they were no longer in control of me) then the anxiety and panic may resolve. They want to work backwards.

I refuse to work on my OCD issues, they are not life altering and are just a normal part of my life. lol

Now, just to get through my baby's (literally my baby is 23) wedding in 6 days. Have a wonderful week.

Hi bddouglas,

It is possible for your mental health issues (major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder) to be a result of or secondary to PTSD.

Although Klonopin can be addictive not everyone gets addicted. I spent 10 years using Klonopin for PTSD with anxiety/panic attacks secondary to PTSD. Klonopin was prescribed 1mg 3x a day, I used it as needed. Sometimes I needed it daily and sometimes I could go days or weeks without having any. I never did become addicted.

Psychiatrists are usually for medications and it is the Therapist who can help you work through those traumatic events and learn new coping skills so maybe one day you won't need medication.

Hi bddouglas

I have no direct experience of PTSD but a member of a mood disorders therapy group that I used to go to does.

She reported that trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT) helped with her PTSD though she stressed that it is important to find a mental health professional with experience of using this approach with his/her clients.

All the best.