My psychiatrist and benzos.
 

Why won't my psychiatrist prescribe me Xanax or Ativan? He wants to keep trying different medicines with me when they clearly aren't working...isn't he supposed to prescribe what works for the patient?

I know that Benzos are addictive and dangerous because the body and mind can become dependent on them...but that's only if you abuse them or take them at high doses. I'm getting a good response from taking .25mg of Xanax...that's a really low dose....and I would only need to take 1 or 2 per day.

Last night my mind was so overwhelmed with anxiety, I took a .25mg of Xanax that was prescribed by the ER. Then I took my Mirtazapine dosage. That was the first time in months my symptoms became tolerable enough for me to function. And it carried over to today.

So if its working, why not prescribe me the low dosage?

Is there some other kind of Benzo that isn't as addictive that he can prescribe?

Time for a new psychiatrist?

I just want what works best for me...I'm too sensitive to take SSRI's and the Mirtazapine itself is not strong enough to do the job alone.

Sorry for the vent :).

The trend today is against Benzos. Once the medical field decides that is IT.

I think you should try Theanine. This really works well, is not habit forming and does not affect driving nor is it sedating.
But it takes that anxiety edge off very well.

The brand SunTheanine is made by several companies.
I use 300mg of Doctor's Best at bedtime. ( I get anxiety more at night than in the daytime). It is not expensive either.

mrsD said that right. Once they decide then that it is IT.

Yes, it is addictive and for many they have to increase the dosage rapidly and you will be in big trouble. But at the same time it can tremendously helpful for many conditions and for me it helped for dizziness which caused anxiety. I came across so many folks with Meniere's disease, vertigo etc., take Xanax when they need. Some with severe dizziness or anxiety take it regularly and able to maintain the low dosage.

But you can find doctors who are willing to work with you. I have few doctors (specialists too) who listen to me and if I need Xanax they sure write down but not so willingly. I still have quite a few refills available but I quit taking it.

But before you go on Benzos try SunTheanine as mrsD mentioned. I am going to order some too.

Hello nwsmith
 

I know for sure that doctors in general do not like to prescribe this medication. I was allowed to have it before a surgical proccedure coming up, and for a short time while I was recovering from spinal fusion as it reduced my anxiety over the pain. I try very hard not to use them, because I too have heard how addictive they are. If you can get by with another med. I would give it a try. If you still think this medication is something you think will work, I would first ask my PCP for advice on it. It was my PCP who allowed me to have this medication, not the surgeons, or Psychologist. If your doctor knows you well enough, he may well allow you to use it. I was also required to take a drug test before it was given to me. I think that is to make sure people arn't already abusing that or other medicines. It is for safety reasons. I hope you can find a good medication to help with your anxiety. I do know what that feels like. Just be honest with your doctor and I bet he helps you. ginnie

Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely give that a try....I just want to get to the bottom of this and find something that works for me, you know? I don't care if it's a Benzo or not. I've already tried 2 AD's and they aren't doing anything.....I don't want to run through all these different AD's the psych throws at me, have to deal with the withdrawal from the previous ones, then the start-up side-effects of the next...and then the depression/disappointment it causes after I find out it doesn't work...UGH. THAT alone is causing anxiety.

You mentioned it not being sedating. That's the thing..when I'm sedated, my anxiety fades away and I tend to ignore my PCS symptoms. Mirtazapine is sedating, but I only feel the sedation shortly after I take it and the couple hours before I fall asleep. Xanax and Ativan work great...so that brings me back to the question...is there a Benzo that isn't as addictive or dangerous? Clonazepam? Or something that has the same effects (sedative) and isn't a narcotic?

I've found this to be true, as well. Both the neurologists I've seen were against prescribing them, and my psychiatrist. I don't have insurance, yet, my medical bills are paid for through Victims of Crime...my injury was caused by an assault. So I don't have a PCP.

The Theanine works on GABA receptors....like the Benzos do.

You don't need to be sedated to have anxiety relief, IMO.

If you are seeking sedation...perhaps your doctor senses this, and that is why he is withholding the RX.

Clonazepam is the most habituating of them all. Getting off this one is the hardest as well. Google it and you will see.

I'll give it a try. Where do you get your's from? Online? If so, link please.

I've always hated pills. Before the injury, I never took them. I hardly took cold medicine when I was sick, I would just let my immune system fight off the illness. I have never been addicted to pills and I only take the Xanax as needed. I just want something that works, and so far that's the only thing that works for me.

I see no harm in taking a low dose (.25mg) of it once, or twice a day...or as needed for panic attacks. I refuse to try anymore SSRI's...that is what he keeps suggesting. My first experience with Celexa was not a good one, and I won't try it again.

The people that take these narcotic drugs for recreational value ruin it for people who are really suffering from mental illness. Some people really need this kind of medicine to give them relief. Not everyone is an abuser.

I get my Theanine from Doctor's Best brand. (I tried Swanson's and it didn't work as well).

Available at Amazon and iherb.com

Didn't I give you a link to read about dosing and effectiveness?

http://web-us.com/l-theanine_anxiety_reducer.htm

Thanks.

If you gave me the link before, I'm sorry. My memory isn't what it used to be.

:winky:

Hi MrsD
 

I go to my doctor on monday. I will ask about theanine. I had never heard of it before. Thank you for this information. I always am afraid when I take zanax. I would rather not feel so insecure about a medicine. ginnie

GNC has Theanine.

Benzo's are not only addictive, but they are not good for the compromised brain. There is quite a controversy about the potential of benzos to cause long term brain damage. What is known is that they can cause short term memory loss.

I really think your need is to get away from the source of your anxiety. You need some peace and quiet. An occasional .25mgs as rarely as possible may be OK until you can get your B-12, folate and other B's up to par. B-12 is the most beneficial to the anxious brain. A B-12 shot may be worthwhile. Or at least some sub-lingual B-12 drops. You could take sub-lingual B-12 drops 3 or 4 times a day. B-2 (riboflavin) is also helpful for anxiety.

GNC also has B-12 liquid drops. They label them for swallowing but sub-lingual use would be better. The dosage is one dropper per day (1000mcgs) but a third of a dropper per dose 3 times per day would be better. Place the drops under your tongue and let them sit there until absorbed. No swallowing for a few minutes. The mucosa (soft moist tissue) under the tongue has good direct passage of nutrients to the blood stream.

You will be surprised what B-12 can do to help you.

Just ordered some L-Theanine from amazon. I ordered some chewable tablets since my stomach is very sensitive for lot of meds. (Natural Factors Suntheanine L-Theanine). Hope it is a ok product.

One Neuro-Otologist switched me from Xanax to Clonazepam and was on it for few months. I didn't realize it was affecting my sleep bcuz I wake up gasping for breath many times in the morning and rest of the day goes terrible.

Like mrsD mentioned when I tried to quit I couldn't. It made me very dizzy and anxious. So I switched to Xanax and able to quit. With Xanax for some reason I can quit without much issue each time I quit.

nwsmith: I can understand about the sedating effect and symptom free. I feel the same way. For me I start feeling better after 9 pm and if I have a glass or two of wine I can do lot of things like going to store, being on computer, talking on the phone, even driving without feeling dizzy, headachy or anxious.

I feel that way until I go to bed which is around midnight. I feel like human those few hours. Not 100% symptom but a lot better compared to the day. Mornings to mid afternoon are terrible for me every single day.

Doctors are very confused about this and don't have anything to say. One other thing helped me is Neurofeedback. I feel symptom free immediately after session until I go to bed.

My doctor prescribed me Temazepam. Its also called Restoril. I have had insomnia for years (even before i worked night shift), so she is using that for my sleep med and anxiety med in one. I found it to be very helpful. I have also had xanax as an anxiety med in the past....and yes, i liked it.

But i can see why they want to try meds that have other purposes as well......like ssri's because they help with both anxiety and depression and not as sedating. They still want you to be functioning during the day, not sedated. Think about it.....you already have a brain injury, you are already that much more susceptible to dizzy spells and clumsiness....they dont want to add a med into the mix during the day time that increases your chances of falling, becoming lethargic during the day when they are attempted to see how much activity you can tolerate (in regards to you being disabled), and then the addiction factor.

Theres a method to their madness, thats for sure. You need to look for other methods for anxiety reduction. Number one would be your living environment like you mentioned in other posts. Also, continue with therapy weekly, activities that provide stress reduction like meditation, biofeedback, prayer, breathing exercises, saying positive affirmations, listening to calming music, etc. They want you to learn other techniques to reduce your anxiety without resorting to a pill for everything. good luck

Don't expect many doctors to know about theanine.

Theanine is thought to help with blocking excess cortisol, which is
found in people under stress. Excess cortisol is also bad for the brain, and is thought to affect the hippocampus and memory. Evidence for
this is accumulating, but not proven yet.

I hope you are eating well and avoiding sugars and starches. Swings in insulin/ and high/low blood sugars wreak havoc on the brain, and cause anxiety when you crash after a high carbohydrate meal.