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honestwitness 03/04/2010

Have any of you ever used anti-anxiety meds to deal with the anguish, devastation, and fear that come with your family member going through the legal process?

My son stayed with me for about a week, but left and I don't know where he went. He is still communicating by email, but I believe he turned off his phone. As far as I know, there is no warrant for his arrest, and the forensic examination of his computer is still under way.

I haven't yet retained an attorney for myself, but I have called several and asked them questions.

One of them told me that, because my son stayed with me, the police might show up at my door with an arrest warrant for my son or a search warrant to seize my computers.

The anxiety of waiting for such a thing is almost debilitating. I keep having to remind myself to breathe.

I am tempted to call my doctor and ask for anti-anxiety meds. Of course, I wouldn't tell him the real story of why I feel I need them I'll be vague.

But, I'm concerned about side effects. Will I be too drowsy to drive? Too slow to be effective at work?

Can anyone share advice or experiences?

deleted_user 03/04/2010

Discuss it with your doctor, some of the antianxiety meds are very addictive. And some ppl do get very sleepy from them. I take .25 of xanax when I absolutely have to to function. Also, some of the antidepressants are sometimes effective for anxiety, just not right away. You don't need to tell him why you're anxiety has gone way up, just tell him it has and see if he has suggestions for you.

deleted_user 03/04/2010

I take them, Wellbutrin, it doesn't make me drowsy. It does help me get through the day!
Good luck hun and know we are all here for you! We'll remind you to breathe! LOL!
My prayers are with you and your son,
RWsMom

deleted_user 03/04/2010

I take a generic brand of zoloft. I had to increase it to the full dosage when I got back from the trial. As someone said ask for something that isn't habit forming and you will be fine. If you take the full dosage and it makes you like a zombie or drowsy cut it in half.

deleted_user 03/04/2010

Prozac is good, and not habit forming. I have taken it for years with no side effects. It's more mild than some others, though.... It just takes the edge off stress and anxiety for me..... My doc says it's fine to stay on it for the rest of my life if I choose to.

honestwitness 03/05/2010

Thank you to all of you for your advice and your prayers. I called the doctor and the soonest they can get me in is Monday. Today is Friday. Is there anything over-the-counter that might help until then?

deleted_user 03/05/2010

Go and talk to the pharmacist. They are always willing to offer their advise.

Laurie727 03/05/2010

Alot of people I know have tried St. John's wort for depression and anxiety. It is a natural remedy. I honestly have not tried it although I did buy a bottle but haven't started it yet. I took Zoloft for the entire first year of my son's ordeal, it helped me sooo much. I could probley benefit from being back on it and have been thinking about it. There are just some really hard times to try and survive without a little help.
Lauri

gracie08 03/05/2010

i cant imagine anyone here is not on something, i am in the medical field, and from my point of view, antianxiety along with depression pills is the way to go....one drawn back....depression meds take about 14 days to start working....i can promise you will feel better.....

antianxiety pills like xanax work wonderful.....i have them, i always ask myseif is it so bad that i need to take a pill....sometimes yes orthers no

please be careful what herds you use until you have talk to a MD, mind you i am not again usuing herbs, but you should have a herbalist to advice you what to take...

love to all gracie

honestwitness 03/05/2010

I called my doctor back this afternoon and asked what I could do without a prescription until Monday. They heard the emotion in my voice, put me on hold, came back to the phone, and said I could come today, right before they closed, which I did.
He prescribed an anti-anxiety med: Lorazepam (generic Ativan) and an anti-depressant: Citalopram. I just finished reading the literature about them both. It's so full of warnings, I almost feel I would rather deal with raw terror than the meds!!

But, I will go ahead and take the Lorazepam in a minute, and see how I sleep tonight.

Then, tomorrow I'll try the Citalopram and see how I function. I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow, so I can afford to be a little loopy, if it comes to that.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on this type of meds. I seem to feel the effects of the anxiety most intensely in the mornings. By afternoon, I usually wonder why I felt so bad earlier. Although, if I hear some more bad news, I get very down pretty fast, no matter what time of day it is.

deleted_user 03/06/2010

I know I wouldn't not have survived this ordeal with medication. I was on the verge of a ment breakdown. I take Celexa and it works wonders for me. It takes between 4-6 weeks to kick and you need. In the meantime my Dr. prescribed Lorazpam to help and it sure did. That one, they say is addivctive but I still take it now and again when a rough patch comes along. These are horrible times with our sons/daughters and we need all the help we can get.

Sue

flmombs 03/06/2010

What the heck is wrong with ME? I have been on this site for over 2 years now since my sweet Eddie was arrested...I have NEVER taken any medication to deal with my sadness...really, I haven't!..... I am now wondering how have I gotten this far without a rx? I think being on DS, journaling and making friends has been the best medicine for me...

Love you all...

Barbara

honestwitness 03/06/2010

flmombs...you are an inspiration! I intend to try the meds for a while and see how they work. If I have any difficulties with them, I'll just use your methods.

deleted_user 03/06/2010

Hey I take Citalopram too. It helps with my depression.

Laurie-Anne 03/07/2010

I have been on Lexapro since this whole ordeal with my son started. It's helped me a lot just in helping me control my emotions and think level headed. I'm going to my grave with the pills..lol.

Laurie727 03/07/2010

That's funny LauriAnne, I swear they should put prozac in the water in my town! My son went on anti depressents in prison and they kinda made him zone and not care at all for awhile. He finally came off them cause he said they made him feel flatlined. To each their own, everyone is different. I think they help alot with the pain we are all dealing with.

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