Exercise has always been my salvation for anxiety and depression (big family history). That and a good diet, lots of sleep (at night, not in the middle of the day), and massive amount of B Vitamins. However, since I'm on a minimal exercise restriction since the stroke, things are getting tough for me. I took a Xanax yesterday, the first time in ages. I hope I get cleared to drive on Friday, I hope, I hope, I hope!

Shannon,
Is this your PCP Dr or your cardiologist?
If he wants to prescribe an antidepressant he should have access to a computer program to tell him which drugs interact. Do you think he is putting you off?

Maybe you need a second opinion? I've been on a few antidepressants
and sometimes got palpatations from them. I am not taking anything for depression now.

Shannon - Epocrates is a computer program describing drug interaction.I'm sure it would be helpful to your dr. Check with your pharmacist.
I've found ativan helpful with anxiety and now just use it occasionally when having trouble at night getting back to sleep. Antidepressants can have some serious side effects.
Hoping you find something that works for you

What heart meds?

I took Zoloft for awhile and a Xanax every now and then as needed and it helped allot, have to watch the BP on the Zoloft because it can raise it. I take Tikosyn, Cartia, Levoxal and Eliquis and had no issues with the Zoloft other than the BP going up some. Only took the Zoloft for about 6 months at the beginning of the afib nightmare. Once you can get where you need to be to deal with it, the anxiety and depression levels go down. I still have the Xanax if I ever feel the need for something but that is rare these days. Yogacat gave me some advice on the meditation and deep breathing and that really helps too! Take care!

hi pete, i was hoping you would respond..u have a lot of knowledge of all this...im on flecanide 50mg twice daily..and metoprolol 25mg twice daily...i take valium when i have a Af attack to try and stay calm..

Hi Shanny
As you know I am a Flecainide girl and Metoprolol is my PIP also and there are almost NO antidepressants I would be allowed to take with the Flecainide not so much the Beta Blocker, when I was having neck pain issues I would say 85% of the meds they offered me didnt go with my Flecainide and I was usually the one who knew or found out.....I am ok to take Xanax when I need it but that is much more anti anxiety and not so much depression ....also, as Marikay said , I did a cross reference on my computer about drug interactions and that is how I found out all the things that dont go with the C1 anti arrythmics.....I then asked my PCP what she might recommend and she said there isnt much. I will explore a little more next time Im at work......if you havent tried Xanax its a nice little fix for anxiety when you really need it. Hang in there ! jan

Huh, scary to have your Dr. question what it is he/she should be prescribing.

I second the second opinion comments.

I stiil contend that I am absolutely amazed at the frequent discussion here on this board regarding the availability of Xanax.

This is crazy wacked out stuff (IMO).

I have attempted to get a 'scrip written by several Dr.s in multiple states, over the last few years and no-one will write one.

They usually deflect the request to a behavioral health appointment, shrink etc., etc. Even though I defend the value of having some as a back-up to the AFIB med.s

I even joke with my GF about this and she scolds me that it should not be easily available and that I will continue to have a hard time finding someone to write a 'scrip. I don't think she really gets it (my position) anyways,.....

I've shared this experience here on many occassions previously and still feel like sharing these thoughts now.

In any case to the original question, by all means if you can get a few bottles of this medication (Xanax) do so 'cos it is a ligit compliment/supplement to your AFIB regime. ;)

Actually, the last PCP I visited (not my main one) laughed when I politely asked her if I could get a supplemental modest 'scrip for Xanax/Lorazepam, etc. Primarily for an AFIB supplement and also to help sleeping once in a while as it's no secret that the lack of sleep can trigger AFIB. She said, "Oh noooooo, I can't write something like that for you, that's a ***blankety blank drug."

***Some long winded medical term.

What the hell?

:(

For those of you on, or now off, Zoloft. How did you manage to get off it, I thought they were addictive? I was put on Zoloft 50 mg. with my first a-fib attack and then in Sept. when in hospital they upped it to 100 mg. I really don't want to take it. If it helps, I don't know it!
I didn't know it raised b.p., I don't need that, as it alreay goes up when stressed.
Any info would be appreciated.
Hugs and good health.
Christine

Be carefull with benzo's. Unless you think you can get an unlimited supply forever. Even a small amount taken as prescribed for a month or two can be devastating to withdraw from. And you have to keep taking more and more to get the same effect.They are worse than opiates to withdrawal from, don't ask me how I know. I'm trying Wellbutrin right now, have been on it for 4 months, haven't really noticed a difference though, probably will discontinue pretty soon.

Does zoloft really raise your b.p? That is the last thing I need! After I started with a-fib I was extremely depressed - thus the xoloft. It was upped from 50mg to 100mg in hospital. Can't tell if it helps at all? I would like to get off it, without withdrawal. I already take Oxazepam for esophageal spasms (been a God send for me) Been on it 40 yrs. Nothing else has ever helped. Know it would be hard to ever get but no-one knows what I went though from complications from 4th c-section (messed up bottom of esophagus nerves). Oxazepsm relaxes these nerves, also helps anxiety. I also find deep breathing helps.

ASKING AGAIN - See THANKS
Does zoloft really raise your b.p? That is the last thing I need! After I started with a-fib I was extremely depressed - thus the xoloft. It was upped from 50mg to 100mg in hospital. Can't tell if it helps at all? I would like to get off it, without withdrawal. I already take Oxazepam for esophageal spasms (been a God send for me) Been on it 40 yrs. Nothing else has ever helped. Know it would be hard to ever get but no-one knows what I went though from complications from 4th c-section (messed up bottom of esophagus nerves). Oxazepam relaxes these nerves, also helps anxiety. I also find deep breathing helps._Hugs
Christine

Surfrat: She probably said Xanax was a Schedule IV Controlled Substance. Doesn't make it bad. It doesn't make you see Timothy Leary or anything like that. It just calms you down, just like Valium or Lorazepam. Schedule IV drugs have the potential for abuse. -petey