Medication anxiety

[AMcSwain]

Does anyone have problems taking medication that has a “warning/side affect” of thoughts of self harm? It makes me so anxious even though I have never tried to self harm but a major intrusive thought I have is what if that’s how I die even though I have no desire what so ever to do that. I have a new medication I have had for a week and can not make myself take it because of that one warning. How do you get over it? Please help

 

[Missy]

Does anyone have problems taking medication that has a “warning/side affect” of thoughts of self harm? It makes me so anxious even though I have never tried to self harm but a major intrusive thought I have is what if that’s how I die even though I have no desire what so ever to do that. I have a new medication I have had for a week and can not make myself take it because of that one warning. How do you get over it? Please help

I am experiencing medication fear right now. I have been on fluoxetine for years but I am having some anxiety issues. I saw my doctor and he added Wellbutrin. I checked it out on the internet drug interaction site and had a major warning for the two taken together. Of course, I freaked out. I talked to my doctor about this and he said he would never give me anything that was harmful. I also called the pharmacist and she said there is a small risk but with every med there is one. My anxiety is getting the way of me helping myself. I am going to try the meds. Hope this helps? Let me know how it is going.

 

[AMcSwain]

I am experiencing medication fear right now. I have been on fluoxetine for years but I am having some anxiety issues. I saw my doctor and he added Wellbutrin. I checked it out on the internet drug interaction site and had a major warning for the two taken together. Of course, I freaked out. I talked to my doctor about this and he said he would never give me anything that was harmful. I also called the pharmacist and she said there is a small risk but with every med there is one. My anxiety is getting the way of me helping myself. I am going to try the meds. Hope this helps? Let me know how it is going.

That’s what I tell myself “ my doctor wouldn’t give me something that would hurt me” I have been in sertraline since 2018 and at one point I was on sertraline and Wellbutrin and I didn’t have any issues with it at all. Because sertraline has caused me to gain so much weight my doc proscribed wegovy and I’m terrified to start it.

 

[Missy]

You should do what your doctor advises. They have gone through med school and also have their experiences with their patients. They certainly have more information on us as their patients than just a site on the internet. I don't know how long you have been with your doctor? I have been with mine for three years. I know how scary it can be but that is why they are the Docs and we are not. Let me know how it goes.

That’s what I tell myself “ my doctor wouldn’t give me something that would hurt me” I have been in sertraline since 2018 and at one point I was on sertraline and Wellbutrin and I didn’t have any issues with it at all. Because sertraline has caused me to gain so much weight my doc proscribed wegovy and I’m terrified to start it.

Thanks for letting me know you were on Wellbutrin and Sertraline and had no issues. This makes me feel better.

 

[AMcSwain]

You should do what your doctor advises. They have gone through med school and also have their experiences with their patients. They certainly have more information on us as their patients than just a site on the internet. I don't know how long you have been with your doctor? I have been with mine for three years. I know how scary it can be but that is why they are the Docs and we are not. Let me know how it goes.

Thanks for letting me know you were on Wellbutrin and Sertraline and had no issues. This makes me feel better.

you’re so welcome! I just took my first shot of it so I’ll keep you posted

 

[bin_tenn]

You have to accept that everything comes with risks, but that those risks are unlikely. Many side effects are CYA - a few people experienced the effect while also taking that medication, so it's reported as a possible side effect. It doesn't always mean there is a connection confirmed with hard evidence.

 

[malleswara Rao parvatam]

Some medicines reduce testosterone and thereby damage bones and disks

Some medicines reduce testosterone and thereby damage bones and disks. It happened in my case.

 

[shay1988]

Oh yes I had it bad! I had to take a medication that was like chemo to save my life, after I got the meds in the mail it took me almost a year and a half to take the first pill! That's what threw me over the edge and made my anxiety come back after all these years of being free of it. There was so many horrible side effects to these meds and I scared myself so bad I was in and out of hospital thinking I was dying but it was just my anxiety. I told myself I have to do this or I could die so I set a day and time and told myself no matter what I'm taking my first pill on this day. So on new years eve at midnight I took my fist pill , 3 months later I finished and didn't have any of those horrible side effects! So I tortured myself for nothing and I'm still dealing with the bad anxiety to this day because it takes a while to overcome anxiety. But I'm hopeful that soon I can be free of it. I hope you can get over the fear and I Kno exactly what your going thru

 

[PieFan]

So many meds have that warning @AMcSwain Even one of my lung drugs does...

I read this recently

Five Keys to Managing Intrusive Thoughts

Stuck in rumination? Here are some ways to break the cycle and move forward.

greatergood.berkeley.edu

 

[Jonathan123]

A doctor once told me that those leaflets in a drug pack are the bane of her life. People read all the side effects and are afraid to take them The pharmaceutical companies have to list all the side effects by law, but all they do is put the frighteners on anyone with HA. If there are any side effects then one can always stop taking them and go back to your GP for advise. Some medication can take time to 'click in'. Anti depressants can take up to six weeks to have any effect. Any medication can be 'tapered off' once they have had the desired effect. Short term medication can be helpful in that it calms us down and gives time to assess our situation more rationally.

 

[shay1988]

I really wish my DR would give me some anxiety meds even short term. But they don't trust anyone down here in TN and don't wanna give out benzos. But people who really need them like me suffer because of it. I Kno it would help me so much to calm down and maybe get control back but they won't give me a chance to take them.

 

[bin_tenn]

I really wish my DR would give me some anxiety meds even short term. But they don't trust anyone down here in TN and don't wanna give out benzos. But people who really need them like me suffer because of it. I Kno it would help me so much to calm down and maybe get control back but they won't give me a chance to take them.

What part of TN? I'm right outside of Nashville, and that's how it is here as well. All the local Dr practiclly specifically say they don't prescribe any controlled substances, you have to see a specialist (such as a psychiatrist).

 

[Phillies Phan]

I really wish my DR would give me some anxiety meds even short term. But they don't trust anyone down here in TN and don't wanna give out benzos. But people who really need them like me suffer because of it. I Kno it would help me so much to calm down and maybe get control back but they won't give me a chance to take them.

That is really pathetic. I live in Toronto, ex-Pat from the US. My doctor understood just how bad my HA could get to the point of being unable to function. I’m on a small regular dose. No way it will be increased, nor would I want that. If someone has a medical need for say Ativan, and it’s prescribed by a competent physician, who knows his or her patient, it’s a big part of treatment for the mentally ill, be that anxiety or conditions with bigger names.

 

[PieFan]

I really wish my DR would give me some anxiety meds even short term. But they don't trust anyone down here in TN and don't wanna give out benzos. But people who really need them like me suffer because of it. I Kno it would help me so much to calm down and maybe get control back but they won't give me a chance to take them.

Years ago I would keep a small prescription of Valium/Diazepam for stuff like flying/dentist or medical appointments, and it kept my anxiety from spiraling. When the prescribing situation changed I got subsequently more ill and I hate to say it but in America I suspect that's what the overall 'business model' of for-profit medicine has become. 'Well' people don't generate revolving-door profits...

 

[shay1988]

I live in Bristol TN. Near the race track.