Posted by jealibeanz on March 15, 2007, at 12:56:04
In reply to Re: Med switches today! Help! » jealibeanz, posted by UGottaHaveHope on March 15, 2007, at 12:11:33
Provigil did cause anxiety the last time I went on it. That's when I had to increase the Xanax to 3mg a day. After a while, I adjusted to the Provigil, plus the extra Xanax helped.
I do have to factor in the Provigil and the Xanax XR, which is very different from Xanax, into my cause for increased anxiety.
Ritalin LA doesn't cause anxiety with me. I'm not sure it does much of anything (besides make me crash after 2-3 hours, which I no longer feel because of the Provigil).
It's hard to find a balance when you have comorbidities. Polypharmacy sometimes does seem counter productive, but to be functional is necessary for some people.
If I didn't take the Provigil I wouldn't be able to stay awake during the day. I'd struggle to get anything done or have a life. That would add to anxiety.
I have ADHD. If I didn't have the meds (which aren't great at the moment, but better than nothing), I wouldn't be able to do well in school and have a semi-organized life. That also would cause anxiety.
I have insomnia. I take Lunesta. The Provigil and Ritalin LA don't effect my sleep. The Ritalin has worn off by nighttime and Provigil, for me at least, is a medication that allows me to nap or sleep at night as I please, yet keep me alert when I need to be. The insomnia is related to anxiety. If I didn't take Lunesta, I wouldn't be well rested. I would be cranky, increasing my anxiety. I'd be tired, decreasing my concentration and energy.
The funny thing is that I never had insomnia until 2 years ago when I can back from London. I've always had anxiety.
So, yeah, I agree, the polypharmacy thing can be tricky. Most GP's would do this with a patient. I'm lucky mine does.
I don't love the idea of meds, but have come to realize that they improve the quality of my life. My doc knows this too.
When I was first put on Lunesta, I was seeing my PA for the first time. I explained to him that I was only sleeping about 3 hours a night and waking constantly. It had gone on for about 3-4 months before I saw him. My life was soo difficult. I was going to school full time (taking o-chem, microbio, physics, and others), interning, and working. I was about to crash. He had no problem giving me the Lunesta.
The NP at the same office blew me off the month before, gave me an antihistamine since it can make people sleepy, and told me to make an appointment with my doctor if I wanted a real sleep med. Can you say no guts?
poster:jealibeanz
thread:741181
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070314/msgs/741285.html