CNS depressants

[shel67]

Since MS effects our CNS , and now that I know MS is/what caused my symptoms  of feeling drunk or drugged, having side effects of medication with out ever taking anything... Is it bad or not recommended to take anything that  effects the CNS? Are CNS depressants and stimulants bad for us to take?

[shel67]

I know I sound like a nut but I  swear I'm not. This MS is literally a new life for me. I'm really trying to deal with it. I was one way one day, and this way the next and its been a lot to accept. I am grieving the old me.

I have never taken anything. I don't even take a vitamin before knowing fully what I'm taking. I'm just conscious of what I take. That's why I'm asking about it. Since this drug messes with the CNS, I want to know that I'm not making these symptoms worse.

Xanax was prescribed by ER doc and so was valium after two trips to the ER because of MS symptoms of bad virtgo and imbalance. They found me to be hysterical because I was. I didn't understand what was happening because things had just worsened. That's why I was hysterical, I didn't understand what was happening. And the neurologist knows I have been prescribed it.

I'm a thinker, I over think everything. I'm a worrier. But I'm also a realist. I don't live in denial. And I educate myself, learn all about it. This is me learning MS. I'm not having a breakdown, and I'm not depressed and I don't have a anxiety disorder either apart from real, not imagined, stress. What's going on apart from this MS and the implications of what this MS can do to those other problems would be enough break the strongest person in half. In light of all that, I think I'm dealing with it the best I can. Better than most, I'll tell you that.

I have talked to a councilor and I think I freaked her out, our situation is so bad. She's going to try to help us tackle one thing at a time while helping me cope with this MS.

Before this MS diagnosis another councilor assessed me  when they were on this anxiety kick, and it was noted I was not depressed nor really suffering from anxiety but because of my other issues I was dealing with they assumed it must be. That or pre menopause. I think at one point that councilor started to realize my symptoms were not normal because she told me if anything gets worse or anything else pops up, go to ER. And I did and they gave me meclizine, Valium, an ativan. Do lord knows I tried.

But since my symptoms worsened I am becoming unglued because  I'm scared that ill just keep getting worse and I will be unable to work. That daily stress of that is wearing on me. When I'm home and that fear gets to me is when I lose it and I'll take the xanax because I know I need to stay calm to not encourage any more disease activity. I just wanted to know if there was anything I needed to know about CNS stimulates and depressants affecting MS in general seeing that this is a CNS disease.

[SarahL2491]

I take Paxil when I go to bed for anxiety, otherwise I'd be too anxious to even drive the next day!

[immisceo]

I should also add I was prescribed a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Today was my 13th session and I've come so far. I've loved CBT because it gets to the root of behavioural change, not just masking the anxiety with drugs.

I was in a bad way last year, hence taking the valium whilst I stabilised. But that was only ever a stop gap. It's been hard (CBT literally has homework!), but coming from where I was just a year ago, my life is a much fuller, happier place.

[HVAC]

I a lot of medications and none make me feel drugged. They might of at first. The DMDs don't help with symptoms. They use anti seizures for nerve pain and muscle relaxers for spasms. Plus many of us take things for mood.

Alex

[supermum_ms]

You've posted a few times anxious about taking a prescribed medication and if you've had a bad experience in the past, your anxiety over medications is totally understandable..........If the xanax was prescribed before being diagnosed with MS and or not prescribed by your current neurologist, I really believe it would be in your best interest to contact you MS neuro before taking it.....

"Xanax should not be used for people with the following medical conditions:

A history of drug dependence
Allergy / hypersensitivity to Xanax or other Benzodiazepines
Stroke
Multiple sclerosis
Alzheimer's disease
Seriously depressed
Other brain disorders
Myasthenia gravis
Acute narrow-angle glaucoma"
http://whatmeds.stanford.edu/medications/xanax.html

Cheers.......JJ

[immisceo]

I took diazapam (Valium) for a couple of months last year. My psychiatrist had all my MS notes when prescribing. I was just given the general words of warning, nothing specific to my MS. That being said, these are the types of questions best answered by a medical professional.

[shel67]

I was perscibed xanax to take when I get panicky and I start to get to that place and I was wondering if the effects to the CNS could become permanent since nerves aren't acting right to begin with.

[essdipity]

No, feeling drunk or drugged and actually being drunk or drugged are two different things. I don't know what med you're thinking of taking, but if it's OTC, you take it according to package directions and don't combine it with something else, ths is safe. Your CNS is not depressed.

For all meds, OTC or otherwise, your pharmacist is a great source of info, probably more so than your primary doctor, whom you could also ask.

ess