does anybody know of any medication that you can take just as needed? my problem seems to be panic attacks and just a few rotten days. i dont want to be constanly medicated. but at times i do need something to calm down.
Hello:
This is answer is in response to your question posted about anti-anxiety/panic disorder medications.
I understand that you would only like to take these on an as needed basis which is good. Some people with extreme cases of panic attacks or generalized anxiety disorder want to be medicated 24/7 which many times leads to addiction and if they go off the medications then they have rebound symptoms which are much worse than the original symptoms that lead them to take the meds in the first place.
There are many anti anxiety and anti panic medications. The most commonly used medications nowadays which you have to take every day are Buspar (buspirone), Effexor-XR, Zoloft, paxil, prozac all of which were originally manufactured for depression only but through the years they have found that they work just as well on anxiety and panic attacks as well.
Then there are the as needed type of medications the most common class being the "benzodiazapines" which include xanax (alprazolam), valium (diazepam), ativan (lorazepam), klonipin (clonazepam). These are all potentially addictive medications and should only be used short term and on an as needed basis only. Long term use of these medications can be detrimental. If you have anxiety attacks that come out of the blue, ie. you dont know before hand that you feel one coming on, the best of the benzodiazapines is xanax (alprazolam). It is a very rapid acting drug, unlike the others in the category which are long acting and take a long time to get into the bloodstream. If you take a small dose of xanax (alprazolam) such as 0.25 mg and put it under your tongue, it will get into your blood stream quicker, although it tastes horrible and is not usually the way to take the med (I have used this method in my patients and it works like a charm). Please only take this medication sparingly. If you notice your symptoms are worsening or increasing in intensity or more and more per month, you may need to go on a daily medication, my choice would be buspar (buspirone). It has no addiction potential and works very well or you can try Effexor-XR at 37.5 mg or 75 mg daily. I have a lot of experience in this area because I am a fellow sufferer myself so I have tried just about everything there is on the market and the two best ones in my opinion are xanax or effexor. Additionally, some counseling may be in order and possibly even traditional Eastern methods such as yoga and progressive relaxation.
I hope this helped answer your question and alleviate some of your concerns.
Regards,
Warren Shaffer M.D.
July 4th, 2009 at 4:57 am
most of the benzodiazepines can be taken as needed. Lorazepam, ativan, xanax
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July 4th, 2009 at 5:10 am
I believe most anxiety meds are taken as needed. See your doctor.
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July 4th, 2009 at 5:58 am
St. John’s Wort is an overthecounter herb med. Talk to pharmacist or health food store. Prescription meds can be very addictive.
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July 4th, 2009 at 6:44 am
I take kolonopin and I take as needed
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July 4th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Xanex, Lorazepam, or Valium are good ones for that
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July 4th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Hello:
This is answer is in response to your question posted about anti-anxiety/panic disorder medications.
I understand that you would only like to take these on an as needed basis which is good. Some people with extreme cases of panic attacks or generalized anxiety disorder want to be medicated 24/7 which many times leads to addiction and if they go off the medications then they have rebound symptoms which are much worse than the original symptoms that lead them to take the meds in the first place.
There are many anti anxiety and anti panic medications. The most commonly used medications nowadays which you have to take every day are Buspar (buspirone), Effexor-XR, Zoloft, paxil, prozac all of which were originally manufactured for depression only but through the years they have found that they work just as well on anxiety and panic attacks as well.
Then there are the as needed type of medications the most common class being the "benzodiazapines" which include xanax (alprazolam), valium (diazepam), ativan (lorazepam), klonipin (clonazepam). These are all potentially addictive medications and should only be used short term and on an as needed basis only. Long term use of these medications can be detrimental. If you have anxiety attacks that come out of the blue, ie. you dont know before hand that you feel one coming on, the best of the benzodiazapines is xanax (alprazolam). It is a very rapid acting drug, unlike the others in the category which are long acting and take a long time to get into the bloodstream. If you take a small dose of xanax (alprazolam) such as 0.25 mg and put it under your tongue, it will get into your blood stream quicker, although it tastes horrible and is not usually the way to take the med (I have used this method in my patients and it works like a charm). Please only take this medication sparingly. If you notice your symptoms are worsening or increasing in intensity or more and more per month, you may need to go on a daily medication, my choice would be buspar (buspirone). It has no addiction potential and works very well or you can try Effexor-XR at 37.5 mg or 75 mg daily. I have a lot of experience in this area because I am a fellow sufferer myself so I have tried just about everything there is on the market and the two best ones in my opinion are xanax or effexor. Additionally, some counseling may be in order and possibly even traditional Eastern methods such as yoga and progressive relaxation.
I hope this helped answer your question and alleviate some of your concerns.
Regards,
Warren Shaffer M.D.
References :
some sites you might want to visit are http://www.webmd.com or http://www.familydoctor.org or just go to ask.com and post a question like "What are some short term drugs for Anxiety Attacks" or something along those lines. Good luck.
July 4th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I hope this can help. I’m thinking you might try herbal teas such as chamomile to help you relax a little. A bubble bath or whatever makes you feel calm is helpful. Of course watch your caffeine level. There are nerve pills but its not good to rely on them long term.
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July 4th, 2009 at 8:03 am
I swear, there are alot of goofballs who come here to answer
questions aren’t there??? Anyway, I am on Klonopin also,
But I have to tell you - you cannot - CANNOT just take these
whenever you just need them.
Are you aware panic attacks are in "Panic Disorder?" a real
medical problem? I get panic attacks also, I can recall one
when I went to a local fair - an outdoor thing - big. I have a learning disability, so I often loose my car. Well, I thought if I memorized where I parked I’d be ok - WRONG!
I searched hour after hour until I had a full-blown panic
attack! I couldn’t breathe & I found my way back to the
fair entrance, where they had medics & they had me lie down
until it passed. It’s all basically fear. Fear of something you cannot control or have control over.
What are you afraid of? Start there. Don’t think your
having these things without a cause. I take Klonopin, and
also Dalmane, Seroquel, Remeron, Cymbalta & Vistaril. But
these are also for Depression. Klonopin is an anti-anxiety
drug. Don’t let anyone tell you that St. John’s Wart will
help - it won’t. It supposedly is for depression. I know.
People just spout off & tell you things and they have no clue as to what is real! Try going to the Drs. & getting on
Klonopin, your family Dr. may help, but a Psychiatrist is the one you really need to see to help with these meds. He
knows the side effects and how it will help you.
You/me take it every day to keep FROM getting to a panic
state. Did anyone tell you that??? Just taking it when you
are into a full-blown panic attack will not help. Trust me.
I know what I am talking about.
If you have questions about this drug go to Medlineplus.com,
or to the Mayo Clinic.com - they can take you to places where you can ask questions. Good luck!
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I’ve been there!
July 4th, 2009 at 8:23 am
I have a close friend who suffers from anxiety disorder(yes it is a medical condition) and her Doctor prescribes Zoloft for her. She has to take it on a daily basis, but she says it doesn’t make her feel like shes medicated and she doesn’t suffer from any side effects either. She said it took about a month for the Zoloft to really work its way into her system, and she has not had a anxiety attack in months. Check with your Doctor-this may be the way for you to go.
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July 4th, 2009 at 8:55 am
There are plenty of natural remedies available
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http://www.natural-herbal-remedies.net/anxiety.html
July 4th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Hey, why don’t u try EFT? It’s superb believe me! I’ve had panic attacks(really severe) for abt two years now and I’m now recovering with the help of EFT and meditation. Best of luck!
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July 4th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Have you tried any natural treatments? Check out (http://www.reducingstress.net ) there is a lot of great content and information on the subject there.
Also the stresseraser is a great product, you can find it at (http://www.buystresseraser.com )
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