Good prescription choices for short-term relief of stress/anxiety

[Wisconsin2007]

I have an appointment scheduled with my family doctor in the hopes that I might get some sort of prescription for short term or as-needed treatment for stress/anxiety.  

I'm usually pretty averse to taking any "serious" medications as I don't like the potential for harmful effects down the road. In doing some research, I'm also discovering that developing dependency to certain types of anxiolytics is also a possibility.

So I'm hoping that someone can recommend drugs that are designed as short-term treatment, with the least potential for immediate or longer-term side effects.

[Wisconsin2007]

You'd recommend an antihistamine?

Hmm, it looks like you should be getting weekly blood draws when on Doxepin.

Thanks for the input.  I'll have to think on that.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

hey ryan , are thoses givin by the drs, my mom is really deep into anxiety most days and shes been on the klonopin buy it seems to do her no good so she says , and ssri dont seem to work for her. thanks Barbara

[Wisconsin2007]

After meeting with my doctor, we decided that an SSRI would probably be the best choice, because my symptoms don't come on fast like a panic attack, which it seems Xanax (and the other benzos) are designed to help.  

And since I've been feeling much better the last few days (for reasons unknown to me), we also decided to hold off on even the SSRI's for now, but he'll be ready to scratch out a prescription if I decide I want to give them a trial run.

Thanks for all your input.

[abby10]

Ativan is short acting and very addictive. Klonopin is a much better choice. Stays in the system much longer, you will still need to tapper off. See the site www.ashtonbenzomanual.com it has some comparison charts for the different benzo's.

abby

[Krissy28]

I have never taken ativan personally, but I have heard good things about it (a friend of mine takes it). It is short acting like Xanax and used to suppress symptoms on their onset. This could work well for the short term. A good doctor will also suggest that you see a theripist as well in order to discover root casues, tiggers, and other non medicational ways to reduse your anxiety. Sounds like you already intend on doing this which is good. Good luck.

[Wisconsin2007]

Thanks for the responses, though I didn't want to start a fight.  :o

It looks like Xanax is pretty widely prescribed, and as I understand the way the active ingredient is released, it packs a powerful punch of short duration, leaving a person feeling really good, but recognizing right away when the good feeling is gone, leaving them jonesing for more.

I certainly don't want to be in that boat.  As I understand it, it may be possible to get versions with a longer half-life, so the drop-off in drug action isn't as easily noticed, making it less likely to get hooked.

And I'm hoping for something to use just for a short while, so I can fully employ some other de-stressing strategies and not have to rely on a drug.

Has anyone had any experience with Ativan?  My sister is a PA and she told me that it's pretty mild.

[Krissy28]

Not sure where you get your info either...Visit the addiction forum and plenty of people there will tell you than Xanax is highly addictive. I also get my information form personal life experiences. You are right about klonopin, yes it is technically classified as a anti-convulsant. However if you read any medical information on the topic.....It is always listed in the medications most commonly used to treat anxiety.

[JaneBurgess]

Wrong. Not sure where some of you are getting your information from. Xanax is not the most addicting. Less than 1percent of the people given Xanax by a doctor become addicted to it. Is has a less addiction rate then most of the other Benzo's. It also can be used daily. Klonopin is a good drug but it was never really meant to treat anxiety. It is mainly for seizures.

[Krissy28]

The most effective med for short term anxiety is xanax, unfortunately it' s also the most addictive. Xanax is suppose to combat the symptoms of anxiety at their onset, and is designed to be taken only when he symptoms begin. In others words it is not suppose to be taken as a daily preventative, as it does not stay in your system that long. On the other hand, Kolonipin is an anxiety med that is used for daily prevention of anxiety symptoms. It is designed to be taken regularly and it stays in your system a lot longer than xanax. A lot of doctors will prescribe both at the same time for severe anxiety. Take the kolonipin daily and the xanax only if and when you do experience symptoms that become unbearable. Anyway, both these meds can be addictive which can cause you problems down the road. Everyone is different though, and respond differently to meds. Good luck.

[kalie1979]

Maybe you should try buspar (?) I don't think it is addictive, and it is suppose to help anxiety. Also your doctor should know the latest meds that are non-addictive that will properly help your symptoms.  Good luck  :-)

kalie