I think that decision is one you have to make with your own doctor. For me, my anxiety was so bad I really didn't have an option, I needed the extra help just to survive. I take a low dose of Xanax, which is the only one I seem to be able to tolerate. I have a very low tolerance for medications and have side effects to almost everything. I tried Ativan ONCE and it made me so foggy headed it only made my anxiety worse. I have taken clonopin in the past, and it really messed with my focus and memory, so I keep fighting my doctor who really wants me to try it again. Clonidine worked wonders for me with no side effects when I had a bad bout of anxiety years ago before my PEs, but it is also a med used for high blood pressure and my post-PE blood pressure is so low now that my doc doesn't think it's a good idea to risk dropping it any lower. Buspar is a longer acting med, but it made me dizzy. I was taking it in combination with Warfarin, which also made me dizzy, so not sure if it would work better now, but the combination was definitely not good. Definitely a discussion to have with your doc. If it were me and I could have managed without anxiety meds, I definitely would have preferred to be med-free, but I honestly would have wound up in a psych hospital I was such a mess.

My anxiety has also been terrible. I have not been a fan of anti-anxiety meds in the past, but like JennerM, I really need them in this situation. I'm also on a low dose of Xanax and it's working well. I'm hoping to move off it once the clots start to dissolve (my were everywhere in my lungs so it's going to take a while).

FYI--I also had a stress test this week which was reassuring to know that the left side of my heart functions normally and without disease. Go with your gut about what you need and what's right for you. Best during this time!

I am taking a low dose of Prozac and have a low dose of Xanax I can take if needed.

Since I have started the Prozac, the daily tears have stopped, less chest pain due to anxiety, more calm,etc. The Xanax helps when I go somewhere and start to stress out over things. Feeling some claustrophobia at times seems to trigger my anxiety/panic at times.

I talked to my doctor about things and he finally decided it might not hurt for a while. Besides trying to recover from the PE/DVT, I have a lot of family stress at home.

If you feel you need the stress test, by all means push your doctor to get one done. That alone might give you some reassurance that might help calm some of your fears,etc. If it does, then it would be well worth the cost and time involved.

The best thing you can do for yourself is get a psychologist. My psychologist diagnosed me with PTSD. Not severe but I do have it. We have been working on techniques and it has helped so much. If you want to go to a psychiatrist make sure that the he/she isn't a pill pusher and will help you figure out if meds are for you. I'm on 5 meds but my panic disorder started 15 years ago. I'm in the process of bringing my pill number down to 2.

I wish you well!
Leslie

I'm high on seeking counseling for anxiety issues either before trying meds or in conjunction with meds. This is merely my opinion though. A good therapist will be able to help you sort through things plus tell you what may be the best medication for your situation if that seems like a route you want to go, so that way you can go to your doctor armed with information.

I started seeing a therapist about a month after my PEs, and continued for about 6 weeks and it was FABULOUS. So I worked through it without the meds. But if that hadn't worked, I'd have probably considered medication with guidance from the therapist and my MD.

As far as side effects, I did a brief stint on Prozac when I started to go through perimenopause. My OBGYN recommended it, saying it would help with the sudden onset of severe PMS I was experiencing. So I took a very small dosage of it two weeks before my period, and then would stop once my period started. I did this for several months. The main side effect for me, even on such a low does, was that if I took it first thing in the morning, it made me so lethargic about mid morning that it hindered my ability to work, and when I changed that and started taking it at night, it made me wide awake around midnight. I couldn't find a good balance and that alone started making me feel nuts. So I dumped it all together. I think it's finding the right meds for you. I'm usually not real sensitive to medication but that one had me feeling pretty mentally effed up.

In terms of insurance, I suspect an insurance company would look at it like any other medication you take.

Thank you for all the great feedback. I think the first thing I want to do is the stress test and put my fears of heart issues aside. Then if I'm still experiencing the chest tightness I'll seek further guidance to determine the next step. Thanks so much!

To me having the meds "AS NEEDED" is my way to go. I find just having them reduces the anxiety as I know I can stop it medically if other methods don't work. As a result I seldom use them. I believe the constant use of anxiety med change the endocrine system or the the autonomic system. I have Lorazopam. 5 mg, Lorazopam 2 mg, Ambian and Zanex .25 mg, Hydroxyzine pamoate 50 mg. I cant find my new Zanex, I never took any, I think they were snitched.
I did a heart treadmill stress test and It was very good It also relieved my stress as a Cardiologist suggested I might have heart issues. I haven't taken any meds in a long time except 2 times for sleep.