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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by myname20098002 on January 22, 2009, at 2:02:42
Hello,
I am an alcoholic with one year sobriety. Unfortunately, occassionally I have anxiety issues that come up. They can become intense and lead to anxiety attacks. They do not happen often; however, maybe a few times a year only. But I need something to get me out of them when they occur. The last one my doctor gave me a .5 mg ativan tablet and it knocked out the anxiety attack. Unfortunately, it excited the alcoholic part of my brain and after a year of being free from alcohol.. I almost succumbed. Fortunately, I was able to contact my sponsor and go to meetings and pray and I got over it.
All of which led me to realize I can never take another benzo or any drug that would cause me to want to drink again for the rest of my life.
Now I'll be talking this over with my doc and handing him back his bottle of benzos and explaining why I can never take one of those again for the rest of my life but I wanted to see if anyone of you had heard of a possible anti-anxiety drug that could be taken by an alcoholic that would not excite that part of their brain thereby causing them to fall back into alcoholism.
I'm just looking for intelligent suggestions that I can take to my doctor for his opinion. Thank you.
Posted by Sigismund on January 22, 2009, at 2:23:50
In reply to Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 22, 2009, at 2:02:42
This will probably be of no use because the drug in question can and does cause anxiety.
However, tianeptine is an AD that is apparently acceptable to many recovering alcoholics.
I managed to tolerate it, and I was in something like that situation.
Posted by mav27 on January 22, 2009, at 5:02:04
In reply to Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 22, 2009, at 2:02:42
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonidine
clonidine is an interesting one, it's typically used to treat hypertension but as you can see has many more uses. I recently gave it a go and it really does have a relaxing anxiolitic feel to it, in fact it worked better than my xanax does. It's also FDA approved for use in recovering alcoholics so there is a good chance it would be safe to use in your case.
Posted by fayeroe on January 22, 2009, at 8:31:50
In reply to Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 22, 2009, at 2:02:42
> Hello,
>
> I am an alcoholic with one year sobriety. Unfortunately, occassionally I have anxiety issues that come up. They can become intense and lead to anxiety attacks. They do not happen often; however, maybe a few times a year only. But I need something to get me out of them when they occur. The last one my doctor gave me a .5 mg ativan tablet and it knocked out the anxiety attack. Unfortunately, it excited the alcoholic part of my brain and after a year of being free from alcohol.. I almost succumbed. Fortunately, I was able to contact my sponsor and go to meetings and pray and I got over it.
>
> All of which led me to realize I can never take another benzo or any drug that would cause me to want to drink again for the rest of my life.
>
> Now I'll be talking this over with my doc and handing him back his bottle of benzos and explaining why I can never take one of those again for the rest of my life but I wanted to see if anyone of you had heard of a possible anti-anxiety drug that could be taken by an alcoholic that would not excite that part of their brain thereby causing them to fall back into alcoholism.
>
> I'm just looking for intelligent suggestions that I can take to my doctor for his opinion. Thank you.Congratulations for your one year sobriety!! How happy you must be for yourself. I know that it is day by day and how hard you must be working.
I did some research for you because I have really bad chronic pain and I was given this drug for anxiety that relates to the pain. I'm dealing with things better than I have in years on this med. Not there yet, but since the pain causes anxiety and the anxiety causes pain, I am hopeful that I'll continue on the road of feeling more positive.
Good luck!
BuSpar (buspirone hcl)
Other names: Buspar Dividose, Censpar, Sorbon
About BuSparBuSpar is an anxiety treatment that acts on the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin to calm the mind. It is considered an effective treatment for mild to moderate anxiety or tension, though should not be used to treat everyday stress and worry. It may take one to two weeks before you experience the full benefits of BuSpar treatment.
BuSpar may occasionally be combined with antidepressant medication to treat certain conditions, but this should proceed with caution, and only under the advice of a physician. This medication is not considered to have significant abuse potential.
BuSpar is also accepted for the following uses:
* Control tendencies towards self-injury and aggression in mentally disabled adults.
* Reduce alcohol cravings in recovering alcoholics.
* Reduce aggression or hyperactivity associated with autism.
* Reduce symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorders.
* Improve sexual function in general anxiety disorder.
* Decreases the urge to smoke.
* May prevent chronic headaches or migraine attacks, reducing the need for pain medication.BuSpar is only available by prescription.
Posted by Medline on January 22, 2009, at 9:45:49
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics » myname20098002, posted by fayeroe on January 22, 2009, at 8:31:50
sucks! I think it's pretty much a sugar pill.
Posted by fayeroe on January 22, 2009, at 9:51:54
In reply to Buspar..., posted by Medline on January 22, 2009, at 9:45:49
> sucks! I think it's pretty much a sugar pill.
Thank you so much for your helpful opinion...
Posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2009, at 11:04:41
In reply to Re: Buspar... » Medline, posted by fayeroe on January 22, 2009, at 9:51:54
Fayeroe what dose do you take as when first out was given 5mg to add to benzos and nothing? Seems they use higher doses today???? Love Phillipa
Posted by myname20098002 on January 22, 2009, at 23:02:02
In reply to Re: Buspar... » fayeroe, posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2009, at 11:04:41
Thank you for your excellent ideas. I will discuss them with my doctor.
Posted by desolationrower on January 23, 2009, at 1:37:03
In reply to Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 22, 2009, at 2:02:42
for something that rare...does it occur when you need to be doing something that involves full cognitive performance? otherwise something like clonidine or a strong antihistamine would work, just acting as a sedative. I wouldn't want to take an antidepressant or anticonvulsant and have side effects when its that infrequent. and some people do notice immediate anxiolytic effect of tianeptine as well.
-d/r
Posted by myname20098002 on January 23, 2009, at 13:49:51
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by desolationrower on January 23, 2009, at 1:37:03
It's very rare and not for maintenance. My doctor gave me this RX today after discussing all this with him called Metoprolol 50mg tablet (generic Lopressor 50mg tablet).
He seemed upset that I wouldn't just take a .5mg of ativan once or twice a year when the anxiety attack hit. I just kept telling him it excited the alcoholic part of my brain and that I would never take a benzo again. That it does me no good to snap out of the very occassional anxiety attack if I fall back into alcoholism... a slave to alcohol addiction.
I'm free now with a year sobriety and I fully intend to stay that way.
So he grudgingly gave me this RX. I'll try it and report back. Your comments on this drug are welcomed and encouraged. Thank you for participating in my thread.
Posted by fayeroe on January 23, 2009, at 16:14:52
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 23, 2009, at 13:49:51
Posted by mav27 on January 23, 2009, at 17:14:25
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 23, 2009, at 13:49:51
I take that daily for my blood pressure.. doesn't make me sleepy though so it's interesting that it's being prescribed to help you sleep.
> It's very rare and not for maintenance. My doctor gave me this RX today after discussing all this with him called Metoprolol 50mg tablet (generic Lopressor 50mg tablet).
>
> He seemed upset that I wouldn't just take a .5mg of ativan once or twice a year when the anxiety attack hit. I just kept telling him it excited the alcoholic part of my brain and that I would never take a benzo again. That it does me no good to snap out of the very occassional anxiety attack if I fall back into alcoholism... a slave to alcohol addiction.
>
> I'm free now with a year sobriety and I fully intend to stay that way.
>
> So he grudgingly gave me this RX. I'll try it and report back. Your comments on this drug are welcomed and encouraged. Thank you for participating in my thread.
Posted by myname20098002 on January 23, 2009, at 17:36:27
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics » myname20098002, posted by mav27 on January 23, 2009, at 17:14:25
No not for sleep but for the occasional anxiety attack.
> I take that daily for my blood pressure.. doesn't make me sleepy though so it's interesting that it's being prescribed to help you sleep.
>
> > It's very rare and not for maintenance. My doctor gave me this RX today after discussing all this with him called Metoprolol 50mg tablet (generic Lopressor 50mg tablet).
> >
> > He seemed upset that I wouldn't just take a .5mg of ativan once or twice a year when the anxiety attack hit. I just kept telling him it excited the alcoholic part of my brain and that I would never take a benzo again. That it does me no good to snap out of the very occassional anxiety attack if I fall back into alcoholism... a slave to alcohol addiction.
> >
> > I'm free now with a year sobriety and I fully intend to stay that way.
> >
> > So he grudgingly gave me this RX. I'll try it and report back. Your comments on this drug are welcomed and encouraged. Thank you for participating in my thread.
>
>
Posted by mav27 on January 23, 2009, at 18:45:35
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 23, 2009, at 17:36:27
OOps i don't know where on earth i got sleep from.. the title even says anti-anxiety! sorry, shouldn't post when i've only had 2 hours sleep!
But yeah.. when my doc prescribed it for my hypertension he also said it would be good for my anxiety. This was only a week ago.. i've been a bit naughty and stopped taking it after a couple days just because i wanted to test the effects of something else first so i don't know how well it will work for anxiety yet.> No not for sleep but for the occasional anxiety attack.
>
> > I take that daily for my blood pressure.. doesn't make me sleepy though so it's interesting that it's being prescribed to help you sleep.
> >
> > > It's very rare and not for maintenance. My doctor gave me this RX today after discussing all this with him called Metoprolol 50mg tablet (generic Lopressor 50mg tablet).
> > >
> > > He seemed upset that I wouldn't just take a .5mg of ativan once or twice a year when the anxiety attack hit. I just kept telling him it excited the alcoholic part of my brain and that I would never take a benzo again. That it does me no good to snap out of the very occassional anxiety attack if I fall back into alcoholism... a slave to alcohol addiction.
> > >
> > > I'm free now with a year sobriety and I fully intend to stay that way.
> > >
> > > So he grudgingly gave me this RX. I'll try it and report back. Your comments on this drug are welcomed and encouraged. Thank you for participating in my thread.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by softheprairie on January 24, 2009, at 4:41:17
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 23, 2009, at 13:49:51
> My doctor gave me this RX today after discussing all this with him called Metoprolol 50mg tablet (generic Lopressor 50mg tablet).
Cool! I was going to mention beta blockers. I am on one and find it helpful for anxiety, whereas I (oddly) didn't notice any anxiety improvement from generic Ativan (lorazepam) (0.5 mg tried up to 3 times a day, if I recall correctly), I just got its sedation, which I didn't want.
>
> He seemed upset that I wouldn't just take a .5mg of ativan once or twice a year when the anxiety attack hit.Weird that he'd be peeved at you not taking a benzo. I'm glad he let you have an Rx for something compatible with your sobriety plan, even if he was sort of grumbly about it.
Posted by myname20098002 on January 24, 2009, at 10:48:42
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics » myname20098002, posted by softheprairie on January 24, 2009, at 4:41:17
Thank you. But now I am a little nervous about trying it. I think I'll just cut off a slice of one pill and see if it sits right.
> > My doctor gave me this RX today after discussing all this with him called Metoprolol 50mg tablet (generic Lopressor 50mg tablet).
>
>
> Cool! I was going to mention beta blockers. I am on one and find it helpful for anxiety, whereas I (oddly) didn't notice any anxiety improvement from generic Ativan (lorazepam) (0.5 mg tried up to 3 times a day, if I recall correctly), I just got its sedation, which I didn't want.
>
>
> >
> > He seemed upset that I wouldn't just take a .5mg of ativan once or twice a year when the anxiety attack hit.
>
> Weird that he'd be peeved at you not taking a benzo. I'm glad he let you have an Rx for something compatible with your sobriety plan, even if he was sort of grumbly about it.
Posted by myname20098002 on January 25, 2009, at 21:58:48
In reply to Re: Anti-Anxiety Medicine for Alcoholics, posted by myname20098002 on January 24, 2009, at 10:48:42
It makes psiorisis grow on your feet.
Posted by sam K on January 26, 2009, at 10:15:33
In reply to Re: Buspar... » fayeroe, posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2009, at 11:04:41
what about rescue remedy??? It comes in spray form and it definatly stops the heart from racing. Try that out it might work. I hope its not too late to respond.
Posted by Elanor Roosevelt on January 28, 2009, at 23:13:40
In reply to HEY, posted by sam K on January 26, 2009, at 10:15:33
as you probably know, many alcoholics self-medicate depression, anxiety and such with their drinking
when i was drinking, which i did as often as possible for over twenty years, i went through a period of high anxiety
found a nutcase doctor who prescribed endless amounts of xanax for me
it was stupid
i took large amounts of it and then one day it stopped working and i stopped taking itthen i got sober
it took me a few years to get on head meds
i started taking xanax and after ten years on it have not increased the dose and often go through periods of not taking it at all
it is a boring benzo
and if you chew it the effect is immediate so you can go with small doses here and thereif what you are trying does not work, you may want to ask the doctor for a small number of xanax to keep for your anxiety attacks (you may want to find a new doctor is this one is not getting the sobriety priority)
there is this other thing "free floating anxieties" sounds lovely doesn't it?
it's hell
for that i took buspar which also worked but not in a "fun" way and it got me through a very rough time...however, my bodyweight increased by a thirdjust don't drink
hang in there
feel free to google mail me if you want
Posted by myname20098002 on February 9, 2009, at 12:13:38
In reply to sobriety and meds, posted by Elanor Roosevelt on January 28, 2009, at 23:13:40
The problem with benzos, as I stated in my original post, is that they excite the alcoholic part of my brain. I drank way too much coffee in a 2 week period and ended up taking a benzo to wipe out an anxiety attack episode (not a panic attack) and it worked. But I was very close after that to drinking again (after a year of sobriety) as that part of my brain had been reengaged due to a single .05 ativan. I went to meetings, made phone calls, worked the program and prayed and got through it. Took about a week.
So benzos are OUT for me. Then the doctor prescribed me a drug that lowers blood pressure KNOWING I have psiorisis and rhematoid arthiritis with psiorisis on my feet. If I ever took what he gave me it would make my condition much worse. So I threw it in the trash wondered where these guys get their medical degrees from and went on my way. Oh he made sure to trash my degree because it wasn't from a la de da university as he handed me my misdiagnosed prescription.
He should be a politician working on the stimulus. Anyways. It is what it is. Have a nice day.
Posted by myname20098002 on February 9, 2009, at 12:18:43
In reply to HEY, posted by sam K on January 26, 2009, at 10:15:33
> what about rescue remedy??? It comes in spray form and it definatly stops the heart from racing. Try that out it might work. I hope its not too late to respond.
The remedies contain a very small amount of flower material in a 50:50 solution of water and brandy. Furthermore:
"All randomized double-blind studies, whether finding for or against the remedies, have suffered from small cohort sizes but the studies using the best methodology were the ones that found no effect over placebo.[3][37] The most likely means of action for flower remedies is as placebos, enhanced by introspection on the patient's emotional state, or simply being listened to by the practitioner." -wikipedia
It's a placebo.
Posted by sam K on February 9, 2009, at 13:28:37
In reply to Re: HEY, posted by myname20098002 on February 9, 2009, at 12:18:43
how would you know youve never tried it? Ive tried it and it works real well. But thats just me. SSRis in a controlled study showed they were innfective and equal to placebo. Studies show all different kinds of results
This is the end of the thread.
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