i absolutely cannot take it!?

Question

i take xanax, lithium, and now back again on effexor. my mind is racing. i have feelings of terror inside. if i am by myself i have the worst panic attack and basically black out with out passing out. my psych says i have anxiety and bipolar and prescribed me seroquel. i am scared to take it because i heard it in the same family as respidal which i took once before and went insane...i am so scared. i cant drive, go in public, and do anything. i am always on edge. why wont these darn meds work...help me.

Answer 1

you might want to work with your psychiatrist to find what works for you . . maybe find another psychiatrist for a second opinion.

Answer 2

You have to talk to your doctor if you are afraid to take the medication. Isn't the Xanax helping at all? I understand what you mean by black out without passing out, you are frozen with fear. I am so sorry that you are having trouble getting your meds regulated, but please don't give up. Call your doctor this evening and discuss your concerns about the Seroquel. It may or may not be in the same family as the Respidal, but he may know a reason why this one will be okay for you to take. I am medicated for anxiety and depression, so I know how much you are suffering. I am praying for your doctor to find the right medication mix so that you can live a happy, normal life.

Answer 3

Im not really sure what to say.. Two of my friends have very similar problems. One of them has social anxiety disorder and is on Prozac. The other one is on xanax and it seems to work for him. Although I don't really have much imput, I am always here to listen.. And sometimes even that can help. E-mail me if you feel like it. I really hope all of this passes...

I know it's hard but you need to try to think about something else.. Your mind is in a constant loop, there is no where to go except back around and around. Nothing gets solved and you have that constant feeling of terror because it keeps playing out in your mind. Try some breathing exercises, maybe even meditation. Or pick up on old hobbies that you perhaps had when you are alone. It will pass the time much more smoothly. Maybe if you are concentrating on something you wont black out. Even listening to calm music might help.

You should definitely tell your doctor what your feeling ASAP. Also, perhaps you could talk to a counsellor of some kind. Ive been to one before, they really do help.

Answer 4

The Seroquel and lithium is for the bi-polar and racing thoughts. The benzo's are for the anxiety. Xanax is a fast acting short lived benzodiazapine used for panic attacks in progress (as needed). Have you tried longer acting benzo's such as Serax or Ativan? These will not act as hard and fast as xanax, they are a longer acting drug that may prevent you from having the really bad attacks all together and do not hit you as hard (drowsiness fatigue) Seroquel may be in the same family as respidal but may not have the same bad effect on you. I take it for bi-polar and found that it is a MAJOR tranquilizer which might be good for you also. Panic attacks are so bad that sometimes one has a panic attack just worrying when you will have another one. Good luck and God Bless you.

Answer 5

I am on Seroquel and it does little for me so I don't see what the problem would be. Its a drug that came over from Europe after like a decade of use there and finally made its debut in America like 4 years ago, I've been on it since. Also, if your medication isn't working, its your doctors job to put you on new medications until you find a system that does. I am on Xanax, Seroquel, Paxil, Trazodone and Zonisamide - it sounds like a lot, but it works, and the Xanax is ONLY for really bad days, which I have few of these days. Personally, I don't think anyone could tell I have a problem.

I've been on medication since '93 and my medication has changed over the years, yours will too. As far as God goes, he gave you the intelligence to see the Doctor, so forget the fundie hate!

Answer 6

You have a bunch of bad answers. Don't listen to them. You should work with your doctor concerning your fears about taking this medication. Perhaps you might ask him/her if you can start very slowly with just a few grains due to your fear.

Another option is to get a second opinion since you have some serious issues. If you read DSM-IV, you could get a list of names of the leading psychiatrists who wrote the sections of the manual for your illnesses. It sounds like you need to consult with an anxiety specialist since those symptoms are the ones that are bothering you the most.

You could also access psychiatric journals to identify experts in panic or anxiety disorders. Another option is to see who teaches mood disorders at your local university.

My personal opinion which may be worthless would be to see a more senior psychiatrist with extensive experience in panic disorders. It seems that the xanax is not working for you. Sometimes the more difficult cases really need a senior psychiatrist.

Also since your issues are not resolved, I think you should read everything possible on panic disorder. There are new workbooks available which may provide some relief. Perhaps you can use a variety of methods besides medication to bring some relief.

Answer 7

I been there done that.I was on xanax for 10 yrs. I had to be in the hopsital to get off it. Lithium should be off the market. Depakote is better and safer. You are okay. But you are being over medicated which will make you thing your going crazy for sure. I would find another doctor asap. Take all your meds with you. But find another doctor. There are plenty of meds on the market that will help you instead of making things worse. Good Luck!!

Answer 8

I am so sorry for your current feelings of dispair. First and most important find a good counselor to talk to on a regular basis. Your doctor should have or should be seeing you on a need-basis if you are having this much difficulty finding a combination of medications that can help you. Mine has personally explained to me that I will never be "completely stable" but after many attempts we seemed to have found a plan that is keeping me mostly "normal" (?). Lithium and ativan together have helped me quite a bit. I started on prozac and flipped bi-polar and went homicial (serious). So i know what it's like to feel as you are. Keep trying for the right combo for your particular needs. Good luck

Answer 9

I no how you feel, some times it takes awhile to get the right medication for you, I was kidnapped from my job and escaped 3 months later I have Severe Post Tramatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Depression so I asked every question you asked it just takes time I don't no how many meds I went thru I'm a recluse
but hang in there it will get better it is for me but its slow God Bless and Good Luck

Answer 10

I think you need to take a moment and relax. Just take a deep breath. Ok now if you are that scared then talk to your dr. If your dr. isn't helping go to another dr. I think you are over thiking. Its part of anxiety. The only way to conquer it is to stop doing that. Try to relax as much as possible. Start going to the gym, do things that make you feel good. Talk to some friends and let them know how you are feeling. There is nothing better than support. If you are bipolar then you just need to find the right meds. But in the mean time just calm down and you may start to see a difference.

Answer 11

Ok,I know what Im about to say may sound like something you are not going to want to do but if your having thoughts of suicide, for your safety and the safety of others, you may need to commit yourself to a psychiatric hospital,and soon. My mother is bipolar and shes been to one herself,and it sounds like your going through what she went through right before she went. And if the doctors prescribed a med you should probably take it for a while and test it,thats the only way to get anywhere and feel more sane,its all about finding the right fit,please trust the docs,I know that most of these meds can be really crappy to take,but for your sake,just try.