[CMoore416]

Going to my primary this morning to talk to him about different meds. My therapist said she highly recommends I get on something for clinical depression but I have always been anti meds so not sure I'm going to be able to do it. I think i would rather try the as needed type like Xanax instead. I explained to my therapist that the side effects from didn't seem worth the reason for taking them. But I know that I could so benefit from them. I just don't have the desire or energy to experiment with meds until I find the right one. I'm going to beg him for an echo again since maybe I will get some more peace of mind. Anyway for those of you who take or took SSRIs which worked or didnt? Any side effects? Having a health anxiety is hard in situations like this!

[mairegra]

Originally Posted by CMoore416

Going to my primary this morning to talk to him about different meds. My therapist said she highly recommends I get on something for clinical depression but I have always been anti meds so not sure I'm going to be able to do it. I think i would rather try the as needed type like Xanax instead. I explained to my therapist that the side effects from didn't seem worth the reason for taking them. But I know that I could so benefit from them. I just don't have the desire or energy to experiment with meds until I find the right one. I'm going to beg him for an echo again since maybe I will get some more peace of mind. Anyway for those of you who take or took SSRIs which worked or didnt? Any side effects? Having a health anxiety is hard in situations like this!

SSRIs don't work for me although I know for others they have worked. For me they make me feel nervous, dizzy and crazy. One of them, I took half a pill before going to bed I woke up about an hour later, I was itching from head to toe and I had to take all my jewelry off, even my ring. It felt like they were eating into my skin. I also felt like I wanted to just run and run and jump off a high building. I had this picture running through my mind of jumping off this building and floating through the air without a care in the world and ecstatic. I was alone and somehow I just managed to realize it was the drug and spent the rest of the night literally hanging on to the bed head for dear life. Want to say don't want to scare you but just want to share my experience. I would say if you do go the ssri route make sure when you first start you are with somebody who knows and ask them to observe you. There is actually no proven science behind SSRIs just an hypothesis of how they may work. As for benzos I take Klonopin. It doesn't do much for the PVCs but I got hooedk on them many years ago when I no idea and had never taken any drugs. Have been off them for 4 years at a time but the withdrawals always come back. If I knew then what I know now I would never have started SSRIs or benzo s but I having said that I may take a Xanax when I absolutely needed it and make sure I never got dependent. Don't mean to be alarmist but just wanted to share my personal experience. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[DaniRae]

SSRIs have worked for great for me. I have been on them for 13 years, Zoloft, different mgs depending on where I was in my life. It helped me so much with my panic and anxiety, I mean sooo much.

[CMoore416]

Well I haven't gone in yet but I de Oswego not go ssri route. I have had a reactions to 2 other meds unrelated - Demerol and tapazol (for thyroids) Demerol made Me feel like My skin was crawling too and like i was drunk and couldn't control my body. Tapazol gave me severe hives. So I think I'm just going to ask for Xanax instead of the Ativan and try it. My mom says I just need to make a change in my life - find hobbies, get out of bed etc. He is very against the antidepressants since we have seen so manynppl be worse off than when they started. I really think I need the help but I'm not willing to take the risks just yet. I just need to find a way to get my mind off the PVCs and relax! I started writing a book and I find when I post here the writing calms me so maybe going back to that will help me.

[Katie]

My PC prescribed me a 10 day antianxiety drug when my palpitations were terrible but I never took it and I cannot remember the name. I started walking everyday around my neighborhood, did yoga, acupuncture etc to relieve stress. I also heard passionflower tincture is good for anxiety but haven't tried it yet. If you take meds try it for awhile then start exercising because that helps tremendously and I've heard it helps lower peoples dependence on medications for depression and anxiety. Have you tried aloe Vera gel? I know people from another forum who swear by it. I haven't tried it yet but if push comes to shove I would. Has your doctor rerun your thyroid numbers, electrolyte panels, blood sugar levels etc? I would recheck that as well and maybe start a little magnesium for your nerves 250-500mg daily or if you don't like pills an Epsom salts bath. I don't Like to take meds but at the same time if 100% of my life was being effected by the palpitations I would try it out because at that point your quality of life would be poor right, you have nothing to lose at that point, things could only get better. I really hope you do find something to help you out.

[dr461]

It doesn't do much for the PVCs but I got hooedk on them many years ago when I no idea and had never taken any drugs. Have been off them for 4 years at a time but the withdrawals always come back. If I knew then what I know now I would never have started SSRIs or benzo s but I having said that I may take a Xanax when I absolutely needed it and make sure I never got dependent. Don't mean to be alarmist but just wanted to share my personal experience. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

If someone who has panic disorder takes a benzo class drug, even for the rest of their life, they are NO MORE hooked than someone who takes Cardizem for blood pressure, or Insulin for Diabetes. The stigma of needing psychotropic drugs for severe and panic anxiety is appalling--I understand controlling the sale of that to drug addicts and people on the street. Taken under medical supervision, these drugs are a lifesaver to so many people--those with social anxiety phobias, panic disorder, and severe anxiety. Becoming "dependent" on them is no worse than someone being on a Beta Blocker for blood pressure or heart issues. You become physically dependent on those drugs as well, and withdrawal is gradual titration, or very serious consequences can occur. So those who put down Benzo class drugs as they create dependency are falling for the rhetoric that is created by lawmakers, not doctors. My doctor believes that such tranquilizers should be given to people who need them, and benefit from them, much as one would take Insulin for diabetes.

[mairegra]

Originally Posted by dr461

If someone who has panic disorder takes a benzo class drug, even for the rest of their life, they are NO MORE hooked than someone who takes Cardizem for blood pressure, or Insulin for Diabetes. The stigma of needing psychotropic drugs for severe and panic anxiety is appalling--I understand controlling the sale of that to drug addicts and people on the street. Taken under medical supervision, these drugs are a lifesaver to so many people--those with social anxiety phobias, panic disorder, and severe anxiety. Becoming "dependent" on them is no worse than someone being on a Beta Blocker for blood pressure or heart issues. You become physically dependent on those drugs as well, and withdrawal is gradual titration, or very serious consequences can occur. So those who put down Benzo class drugs as they create dependency are falling for the rhetoric that is created by lawmakers, not doctors. My doctor believes that such tranquilizers should be given to people who need them, and benefit from them, much as one would take Insulin for diabetes.

I have to disagree with the addictiveness of benzos versus cardizem. I was on ativan and a calcium channel blocker for misdiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (yes I know calcium channel blockers are contra indicated for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) and as I had virtually no symptoms was weaned off of both the drugs. Stopping Verapamil was easy, 3 weeks after 15 years and I was off it. Stopping the Ativan was hell, 3 months until I could go a day without it. I remember one day when I was cutting down I went to work and by lunchtime I was so dizzy and shaking. My boyfriend stopped by unexpectedly to take me to lunch and said he knew that I needed him. I couldn't even think about eating and he told me to take some Ativan which I did after an hour of sitting in his car crying, shaking and feeling like I was going to die the Ativan kicked in and I felt fine. I eventually stopped taking it but 4 years later I woke up one morning feeling fine and suddenly started to feel shaky dizzy nauseous and faint. My daughter took me to the ER where they could find nothing. These attacks kept coming until eventually my dr. prescribed Ativan and as soon as I took one I could feel my body relax. I don't think there should be any more stigma attached to taking these as opposed to heart, diabetes, thyroid etc meds but they are way more addictive. They never leave your body. Actually I have a portion of my brain which shows mild atrophy and is very probably caused by the benzos.

[dr461]

Originally Posted by mairegra

I have to disagree with the addictiveness of benzos versus cardizem. I was on ativan and a calcium channel blocker for misdiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (yes I know calcium channel blockers are contra indicated for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) and as I had virtually no symptoms was weaned off of both the drugs. Stopping Verapamil was easy, 3 weeks after 15 years and I was off it. Stopping the Ativan was hell, 3 months until I could go a day without it. I remember one day when I was cutting down I went to work and by lunchtime I was so dizzy and shaking. My boyfriend stopped by unexpectedly to take me to lunch and said he knew that I needed him. I couldn't even think about eating and he told me to take some Ativan which I did after an hour of sitting in his car crying, shaking and feeling like I was going to die the Ativan kicked in and I felt fine. I eventually stopped taking it but 4 years later I woke up one morning feeling fine and suddenly started to feel shaky dizzy nauseous and faint. My daughter took me to the ER where they could find nothing. These attacks kept coming until eventually my dr. prescribed Ativan and as soon as I took one I could feel my body relax. I don't think there should be any more stigma attached to taking these as opposed to heart, diabetes, thyroid etc meds but they are way more addictive. They never leave your body. Actually I have a portion of my brain which shows mild atrophy and is very probably caused by the benzos.

I have to disagree with all of this. Benzo class drugs are a lifesaver WHEN TAKEN AS PRESCRIBED. Problem is, people exceed the dosage, or take it recreationally, and get "hooked." This behavior would be the same on any potential habit-forming medication or drug. The withdrawal from Beta Blockers can take a year or more, and can KILL one, if done improperly without appropriate titration. The stigma that has been put on Benzo class drugs is the result of ABUSE, not use. Michael Jackson, Rush Limbaugh, et al have given a valuable class of drugs a bad name. I doubt you have atrophy of the brain from Xanax or any of its classmates. Please don't attempt to scare people here who use Benzo class drugs appropriately, under a responsible doctor's care, as the last thing they need is the stigma that they are "addicted." I shall reiterate, "IS A DIABETIC ADDICTED TO INSULIN?" No, it is a biological need, as is the Guba/Seratonin control that Benzo class drugs achieve for many. The alternatives to Benzo class drugs for anxiety that is very severe is to use far more potent tranquilizers ( the antipsychotics) which have very severe side effects for many. That is providing an elephant gun to kill a mouse, as anxiety is easily managed through the appropriate use of minor class anti anxiety drugs.

[mairegra]

Originally Posted by dr461

I have to disagree with all of this. Benzo class drugs are a lifesaver WHEN TAKEN AS PRESCRIBED. Problem is, people exceed the dosage, or take it recreationally, and get "hooked." This behavior would be the same on any potential habit-forming medication or drug. The withdrawal from Beta Blockers can take a year or more, and can KILL one, if done improperly without appropriate titration. The stigma that has been put on Benzo class drugs is the result of ABUSE, not use. Michael Jackson, Rush Limbaugh, et al have given a valuable class of drugs a bad name. I doubt you have atrophy of the brain from Xanax or any of its classmates. Please don't attempt to scare people here who use Benzo class drugs appropriately, under a responsible doctor's care, as the last thing they need is the stigma that they are "addicted." I shall reiterate, "IS A DIABETIC ADDICTED TO INSULIN?" No, it is a biological need, as is the Guba/Seratonin control that Benzo class drugs achieve for many. The alternatives to Benzo class drugs for anxiety that is very severe is to use far more potent tranquilizers ( the antipsychotics) which have very severe side effects for many. That is providing an elephant gun to kill a mouse, as anxiety is easily managed through the appropriate use of minor class anti anxiety drugs.

Don't want to get into an argument but I don't agree. I am not trying to be alarmist regarding benzos. I have NEVER abused them but I became addicted in 2 weeks in a hospital when I had no clue what they were and went through 3 months of absolute hell with a newborn baby until I was prescribed valium. That was over 30 years ago and have seen top cardiologists and neurologists who confirm that my problems come from benzos. I had an extremely expensive brain scan using special dyes and the atrophy which yes is minor was diagnosed and it was confirmed by a neurologist. I had genetic tests costing $30,000.00 yes that is 30K(not my out of pocket which I do not have) to test for various types of genetic defects which could cause the problem. Thank goodness they were all negative as my kids and grandkids don't have to be tested. My GP is a neurologist and was the first to tell me about the benzo connection, this was confirmed by a top neurologist at Cedars Sinai. Once again not trying to be alarmist and obviously people with extreme psychological problems and again no stigma may benefit but this is a forum for people suffering from heart arrhythmia and the anxiety caused by that. There are natural benign ways to deal with that, not easy but not toxic. It is a personal decision but if I could have my life over I would never have started the benzos knowing what I know now. Back then I was a teenager, never taken any drugs in my life, never been sick, no internet and trusted doctors unconditionally. This is just my input as the question was asked and this is a discussion forum where personal experience and knowledge are shared. Once again I do not attach any stigma to these drugs. As for beta blockers and calcium channel blockers yes it is very important to carefully follow a doctors instructions if reducing or discontinuing. To answer your question "Is a diabetic addicted to Insulin?" this is apples and oranges. Insulin is a naturally produced hormone and people with type 1 Diabetes do not produce it so it is replaced. Benzos are not produced in the body as far as I know so it is not a matter of replacement. Many with type II diabetes could cure themselves with diet change.

[dr461]

There are natural benign ways to deal with that, not easy but not toxic. It is a personal decision but if I could have my life over I would never have started the benzos knowing what I know now. Back then I was a teenager, never taken any drugs in my life, never been sick, no internet and trusted doctors unconditionally. This is just my input as the question was asked and this is a discussion forum where personal experience and knowledge are shared. Once again I do not attach any stigma to these drugs. As for beta blockers and calcium channel blockers yes it is very important to carefully follow a doctors instructions if reducing or discontinuing. To answer your question "Is a diabetic addicted to Insulin?" this is apples and oranges. Insulin is a naturally produced hormone and people with type 1 Diabetes do not produce it so it is replaced. Benzos are not produced in the body as far as I know so it is not a matter of replacement. Many with type II diabetes could cure themselves with diet change.

Don't want to get into an argument, but disagree completely. For most people, Benzos work. Obviously, if you did not abuse them, you either had a hypersensitivity or allergic response to them. My story is the exact opposite. For 22 years, I have taken them in moderation for severe panic and anxiety, caused by post traumatic issues. They have worked like a charm, with NO side effects. They're one of the few meds that have any impact upon my PVCs, and do reduce them, and the stresses related to them. I have never increased my dose, nor had the slightest negative reaction to Xanax, and for me, it has been a life saver, as a performing musician, and to be able to cope with daily duties in a normal existence. I am carefully supervised by a therapist and a family doctor, who made the exact analogy to Diabetes and heart meds--one becomes physically benefitted from all of the above, but not negatively addicted. So, I think it is whatever works to control the anxiety aspects and the heart arythmias for each individual. Barring a study, I don't see how Benzos have affected your brain tissue, unless you have some unusual sensitivity.

In addition, I disagree with the pharmacology as you present it. Insulin provides for a deficiency as caused by lack of production in the Pancreas. Likewise, Benzos suppress excessive Adrenal by-products, created by overproduction of the adrenal glands (such as excessive Seratonin). So, both are working on the body chemistry to control lack or excessive amounts of the chemicals present in the blood stream. I don't buy the "diabetes cured by diet" theory completely, just as I don't buy the Benzo class drugs don't work on achieving normal chemical balances in the bloodstream. Thus, let's agree to disagree, but please do not discourage others from the benefits of a class of drug that can provide them a tremendous source of help.