Ambien from doctor, xanax from a shink. What now?

Question

I have night tremmors about my past and PTSD so when I had a breakdown at the family doctors office (so much stress with family) he gave me xanax/. I'm kinda afraid of this medicatio

Here is my problm I took my ambien and sorta worked but wont turn my mind off which iafter 2 hours. I guess what the problem ios, if I take Xanax now to sleep Or stay away all together!

Thanks

Answer 1

Your family doctor should not be treating you. You should have the expert services of a psychiatrist or psycho-pharmacologist (a psychiatrist with a degree in pharmaceutical chemicals and brain functions) who will monitor you and follow you up with the latest meds. After you are stabilized, you should seek a therapist to help you with your family problems. All drugs have reactions, but a psycho-pharmacologist will eventually be able to find the right cocktail for you.

Answer 2

Just by reading your question you seemed so confused. It sounds as if you are mixing medications. These medications need to be monitored and I really would give you the advice and seek professional help. Does the same doctor prescribe both medications and did you have them filled at the same pharmacy. You said that you had a breakdown at the family doctors office. Did he reccommend going to therapy. Please for your own safety and that of others call the crisis hotline, go to your local emergency room, dial 911. You really should be afraid of these medications. Prescription drugs can be as deadly as street drugs. Are you also taking over the counter medications. I am not a doctor and I do not have the authority to tell you to stop your medication because you might suffer some other problems as withdrawal or more confusion. If you were to consider a stay in the hospital the staff would be able to help you I really believe. PTSD is not to be ignored. Therapy and compliance wih the proper care would be most helpful. Maybe if you get confused you could have your parents read the answers from the readers.Talk with them, they should be made aware of whats going on. If they will not help, then ask a friend. If you have no one else, CALL 911, they will help you get the attention that you need without passing judgement on you. As one of your other readers told you do not take the sleeping medication and try to function at your job. Definitely do not mix them or take more than you should. Be kind to yourself and do yourself a favor, seek help! It is available. As you asked us what we thought you should get HELP from a professional.

Answer 3

Ambien is for sleep. Xanax is for anxiety. Those are two very different medications and conditions. Are your doctors talking to each other? Do they know what the other is prescribing? It sounds to me that you need therapy more than medications. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Both Ambien and Xanax are highly addictive. I suggest to you look into other alternatives. Counseling may help...taking an antidepressant may help. I think that by taking sleeping medication and anti-anxiety medication, you are adding fuel to the fire. You are only masking the symptoms and not experiencing any real relief. Talk to a counselor. Neither Ambien nor Xanax are meant for long term therapy. There are several antidepressants out there that are used to treat anxiety for the long term (Paxil seems to be the most common). Good luck and keep us posted.

Answer 4

Wow! So much good advice you've been given!!

Xanax is addictive, and ambien works about the same way, even though ambien is technically not a benzo. And after a couple weeks, neither helps you sleep, you get tolerance, and only think it is helping.

I have PTSD, and used to have it really bad. Prozac has been quite helpful, reduces symptoms maybe 70%?

I think you need to see a psychiatrist for the meds, and a counselor to deal with the PTSD. You won't get over it otherwise (OK you never get over it, but you learn to deal, and it will no longer define who you are).

All the best!

Answer 5

Find a different psychiatrist and do not take mental health medications from your family doctor. Be concerned, you have been given two addictive medications of the same class. This is not a good combination for PTSD. Prozac and Trazodone is often an effective combination for PTSD. Find a good doctor and a program for PTSD or a therapist trained to work with PTSD.

Answer 6

Ambien is to help you sleep, you should take it when you are "ready" to go to sleep. Don;t take it and then stay up reading or whatever. Xanax is for depression/anxiety. If you are having night terrors after taking the Ambien go back to your doctor. Tell him the problems you are having. he may prescribe something different for you. Some sleep meds will give you night terrors/nightmares.

Answer 7

Try Melatonin (from health food & vitamin stores & some supermarkets), taken early in the evening, or Valerian root (as above), taken later. Ensure vigorous daily exercise of 30 - 60 minutes, but not within 2 hours of bedtime. Change your medication: the Paxil may be more suitable, long term. See http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com PTSD. Also try: meditation room; try it out; mantra meditation. 20 minutes, morning, afternoon and evening, if possible. Seek counselling, via a doctor's referral.

Answer 8

With PTSD you need to not only medicate the symptoms, but treat the cause of your continued trauma. Get with a counselor who knows how to treat PTSD. Also research up on PTSD, its effects and treatment options.