Benzos Not sure which drug would be best for me?

[stevie_23]

Hi there

I've been going through a hard time over the past 6 months. Relationship issues, blah, blah. Since last June I have been on a roller coaster of emotions and been feeling so incredibly anxious and also depressed. My weight has gone from 130lbs down to 108lbs right now (I'm 5'7" so was slim enough already). I have no appetite whatsoever (whenever I do eat, to simply avoid fainting and feeling that blegh "empty" feeling, I feel sick and full right away. Even the smell and sight of food makes me feel sick).

I have trouble falling asleep, and when I wake up in the night at 3am or 4am, where in the past I was able to fall back to sleep quickly, now within seconds my chest is tight and constricted and my stomach is churning from stress.

I wake up in the morning feeling depressed. I cry every day (this has reduced from crying every HOUR at least), have lost enjoyment for things, I feel literally scared to do anything...to live (though I'm not suicidal in the slightest). I'm sick of not eating properly, I look emaciated, I'm hugely tired of constantly having to try to control my thoughts. Whenever I find myself thinking a certain way, I have to yell at myself in my head to STOP, or SHUT UP! I can't listen to music because it makes me too emotional, I can't just be quiet with my thoughts because it's too hard. I need constant distraction. And it's not improving that much over time.

I just want to feel better. Any suggestions? I have read up a bit on different medication options but I can't go into the dr asking for anything specific obviously.

Thank you for your help.

 

[tentram]

speak to your GP; you really need to address these problems with a professional.

 

[majorigpa]

see a doctor my friend. if i had followed my own advice when i found myself feeling as you are now, i would've saved myself years of bouncing in and out of addictions and saved myself a ton of money. but since you're asking, some benzo's for extreme episodes and an anti-depressant regimen sound like what you need for now, at least until you can get to the mental root of what's causing you to feel this way. for me, it was a woman. and i buried my depression in smack. i do not recommend. be social. exercise. read. learn an instrument. get a goldfish. just stay plugged in to life. the sneaky part about depression is it tricks you into thinking it'll never end, when in fact it most certainly will. JUST STAY INVOLVED AND INVESTED IN YOUR OWN WELL-BEING. and the best of luck of to you my friend.

 

[Psychonauticunt]

Hi there

I've been going through a hard time over the past 6 months. Relationship issues, blah, blah. Since last June I have been on a roller coaster of emotions and been feeling so incredibly anxious and also depressed. My weight has gone from 130lbs down to 108lbs right now (I'm 5'7" so was slim enough already). I have no appetite whatsoever (whenever I do eat, to simply avoid fainting and feeling that blegh "empty" feeling, I feel sick and full right away. Even the smell and sight of food makes me feel sick).

I have trouble falling asleep, and when I wake up in the night at 3am or 4am, where in the past I was able to fall back to sleep quickly, now within seconds my chest is tight and constricted and my stomach is churning from stress.

I wake up in the morning feeling depressed. I cry every day (this has reduced from crying every HOUR at least), have lost enjoyment for things, I feel literally scared to do anything...to live (though I'm not suicidal in the slightest). I'm sick of not eating properly, I look emaciated, I'm hugely tired of constantly having to try to control my thoughts. Whenever I find myself thinking a certain way, I have to yell at myself in my head to STOP, or SHUT UP! I can't listen to music because it makes me too emotional, I can't just be quiet with my thoughts because it's too hard. I need constant distraction. And it's not improving that much over time.

I just want to feel better. Any suggestions? I have read up a bit on different medication options but I can't go into the dr asking for anything specific obviously.

Thank you for your help.

First of all, I suggest finding a method to deal with your anxiety and depression, such as going to therapy, or at least consulting a psychologist/psychiatrist. The solution to your problem is not a drug. The drugs will make you feel better and more functional momentarily - this is your window of opportunity to deal with the underlying problem, as if you do not, the problem will simply resurface once you come off the drugs (or possibly earlier as you become tolerant).

Second, it's not impossible to go in to the doctor and ask for something specific - I've done this a number of times. It depends on the country and your specific doctor, your appearance, how you phrase it, but even young people can ask for specific drugs without being immediately labeled as drug-seeking. I will admit that sometimes it's difficult, but don't completely shut out the possibility of asking your doctor if something would be suitable.

In a similar situation - the abrupt ending of a serious long-term relationship, high amounts of performance-related stress, severe anxiety (with a little depression, which wasn't all that long-lived) - I have been helped most by alprazolam, lorazepam and clonazepam. They were all highly effective for the anxiety and allowed me to go about my life and get through therapy.
If you're depressed as well as anxious it is very probable the doctor will put you on an antidepressant, and probably a benzo for the first few weeks as the antidepressant starts to take effect. This is very much the standard treatment procedure in most countries, as far as I know. I have little experience with depression so I don't know about the SSRI/SNRI side, but as for anxiety, it seems like anxiolytic benzos might be warranted.

Hydroxyzine is something I would generally recommend for anxiety - if it is sufficient - but for severe and debilitating anxiety I've found it ineffective.

None of us can be sure which drug would be the best for you - that's something you need to discuss with your doctor, and will finally only be determined through trial and error.

I understand and empathize with the sentiment of just wanting to feel better, but it's very important that you don't stop at that when you find relief (from a drug). When you don't feel so tired anymore, you need to get back to trying to control your thoughts. That is the key to feeling better.

 

[RobotRipping]

it doesn't sound like benzos are going to work at all for your condition. You sound very depressed, there are many ways to help with this, you just have to reach out and put in some work and things will turn around. In this case, i don't think drugs are the answer at all, there is something deeper going on here and you must find out what that is.

 

[stevie_23]

Thanks so much for so many helpful responses.

I know I need to sort my life and thoughts out and if I don't, nothing will ever be ok and no drugs will help me properly, but I just need to be able to get on top of my own head for now in order to do that, you know?

In my case, it was the incredibly abrupt end to a long term relationship (which was virtually a marriage). There had been lots of stress and roller coaster emotions and fear and tension for the 6 months prior to its end. I didn't end it, he did, and suddenly. With no notice. And he didn't tell me for 8 days. I didn't know what had happened. Then he told me in a song which he posted online. Nice, eh?

I myself write songs, which I am now able to do again after the past month (it's a month yesterday he stopped talking to me) of not being able to do much of anything except sit around and stare into space.

Anyway...I do know things will improve. I just am exhausted by my own thoughts...trying to control them and reign them in is getting to me and I want a "crutch" temporarily to help me get back on top. Logically, I know I'm ok, I know I'm loved by people, I know I am a decent and worthwhile person, and that his actions don't reflect negatively on me as a person, but emotionally? Not so easy.

Thanks again.

 

[shreddedlettuce]

None of us can be sure which drug would be the best for you - that's something you need to discuss with your doctor

This is the best advice.
A therapist/psychologist would be a good starting point to help you get through this difficult time for you.
Also you can read and post some more in another forum on BL that will help you through these "dark" times. It is called The Dark Side.
The-Dark-Side - Click here

I'm going to close this thread now as any other suggestions would just confuse the issue.


/closed