Scared of medication

I'm not supposed to take all 3 at once. I'm supposed to take the Zoloft daily which is an SSRI and either the Ativan or klonopin to help ease side effects. I don't want to stick with only klonopin and become dependant.

I have yet to try the Ativan.. Once I can work up the courage to take the Zoloft I might have to start relying on the Ativan to help me through at first

Just remember the sooner you start the sooner you are through the rough spot.

Best of luck x

That's what I was thinkig of trying. Zoloft at night and benzo in the am if needed. And I'm not supposed to take both benzos at the same time. She prescribed me Ativan to see if I would like that more than the kpin.

I definitely wouldn't take both at the same time, because they're both downers. Perhaps try each separately, but not on the same day. You'll be able to gauge which works better for you, and you can relay that info to your doctor. Klonopin has a half life of 17 hours or so. It's a long lasting med, and some people say it takes longer to kick in, others say it works in 30 minutes. The ativan has a much shorter half life, and works quickly. Those are like Xanax in that they're helpful for bursts of anxiety or panic. Either way, they both have a calming effect. When you're new to them, they can make you sleepy, which is another reason why you don't take both of them at the same time.

Definitely try them (separately) so you can find out what works best for you, and finally be able to get some relief.

Oops! I misread your reply, and thought you said you were taking both at the same time. I'm sorry.

That's okay! And like I said I've been taking a super low dose of klonopin .25 a day for less than two weeks and I feel like it's been helping.. But now I'm

Psyching myself out thinking it's going to cause me to have a seizure even tho it's used to prevent seizures and I wouldn't have one unless I was taking it for a LONGer time and probably a higher dose and just stopped abruptly. I'm trying to stop freaking myself over nothing

Keep in mind that it's mandatory for companies to list every possible side effect, even if it's extremely rare. People like us read that, and instantly think we're going to get all the side effects, then our anxiety gets worse, and we don't take the meds to help with the anxiety. It's a vicious cycle. Instead of remembering the side effects you read about, think of the pill as chamomile and lavender tea in pill form.

Seizures from the meds are possible, but I think mainly for hardcore users that suddenly stop and those that abuse it to get a trip. If you would have had a rare reaction to even the smallest dose, it would have happened already. You've been doing great so far, so obviously you can tolerate that medication. Let the thoughts of bad side effects slip away, and enjoy being calm.

A regular dose of klonopin is typically .50mgs two or three times a day, but doctors do start with the smallest dose, like .25mgs, and work from there.

Exactly. This medicine SLOWS the brains activity not makes it go all haywire. And I've been feeling this way for almost a week so I'm sure something would've happened by now...

Although people can get addicted to the meds, even when used properly, it's not their fault. There comes a time when some people feel they no longer need xanax, or anything else. Instead of tapering down with the help of a doctor, they just stop, and that's when they have problems. Yes, the body does become dependant on the meds to help you function properly, but I don't consider that addiction, because it's necessary at the time. If following a doctor's advice, and taking medication as prescribe makes a person an addict, then there's a bunch of other meds they shouldn't take either, like blood pressure meds. Those are another one that shouldn't be stopped abruptly. A doctor may substitute one kind for another, but it's never abruptly stopped. So does that mean that people on bp meds are addicted to them? Nope, but their body is dependent on them to help function properly. One med that I'll have to take for life is a thyroid medication. I can stop it abruptly, but then levels drop and in comes dizziness, weakness, fatigue, heart palpitations, thinning hair, and so much more. So technically I'm dependant on them, but not addicted.

There's so much stigma against mental health medications that it makes people who need them not want to take them. The junkies and true abusers can be thanked for that.

Don't jeopardize your health and happiness due to stigma, fear, and medication bashers. Follow what the doctor suggests for both getting on and off meds. Quality of life is the main focus, not just for you, but also for everyone around you. I'm one who did stop my antidepressants about 5 years ago, but kept my xanax on hand. The reason I stopped is because of all the stigma, the sighs, eye rolls, and being told to "pull yourself up by the bootstraps". I got it in my mind that having to use medication made me a weak person, and other garbage like that. All of that got me absolutely nowhere, because now it's 5 years later, and everything has returned with a vengeance, which is making consider going back on Zoloft. During the time off of it, I convinced myself that I was doing great. Sure, some days were great, but the bigger picture was that my walls were slowly closing in around me. I'm 45, and am now back to where I was at 23 when I first got diagnosed, square one. Please don't let this happen to you. Honestly, and truly take care of yourself, and be proud of it.

I agree 100% with you. If the medication helps and you aren't abusing it, take it as directed and when the time comes your doctor will help you get off of the medications safely. I'm getting to the point where i just want to live my life I'm only 23 myself and I'm tired of being scared to live!

I completely agree with you. Other people don't have to live iny skin or walk iny shoes. If I have to be on Celexa the rest of my life to feel normal that is what I'll do. I have Ativan when things start getting tight.

I am 58 and have never had an anxiety attack until April this year. I don't care what people say about me being on medication.

Thank u so much for ur input.. it is crazy that people have such a stigma about antianxiety meds. But I take what's prescribed never go over.. but I try to take the least I can.. which is wrong bc I suffer from panic disorder and have just been started on effexor xr 150mgs.. it's been 5 weeks but I've had my friend of the month, brochitis, n a death in the family in the last 2 weeks.. my anxiety is off the charts.. n this is when I need the xanax to help me cope with all this.. ur right people in my family tell me that I'm just a weak headed person bc I have anxiety n it's not a true mental illness.. n it hurts bc I suffer from it truly, n can't function at all at sometimes. Right now I'm on disablility from it.. it's horrible.. and I have a doctor n therapist n a treatment plan where I go to dbt 3 days a week.. I'm doing everything to help myself.. it's just so hard to pull urself out when ur stuck in this fear of everything.. thank u for all ur help this post really hit home with me.. I thought I was the only one.. thank all for listening..this is the best site most family members n friends don't have a clue how to help u or what to say to be able to talk b to you all is a blessing.