Anxiety - What has been your experience with ZocDoc?

WildcatVet, thank you for your reply,I appreciate it very much. Please excuse my delay in responding, once again I had a flare up of COPD and couldn’t get to much of anything.

I had posted regarding anti anxiety medication that could be taken with COPD and am wondering what your thoughts are on CaPlyta, Rexulti and other, older meds like Paxil? I’d really appreciate your thoughts on any meds that might work. Thank you, Wildcat.

Wildcat, I found a ZocDoc! Her answer to the problem has me questioning her choice of how to take the anxiety. She wants me to change from Klonopin to Ativan, quickly! She said to take .5 mg Klonopin in the morning then .5mg Ativan twice a day and 1 mg at bedtime.
My understanding is that you need to slowly taper klonopin. Does this sound safe to you? I really question it. Thanks so much WCV!

Great news! I hope you will work well together.
Both Ativan and Klonopin are classified as benzodiazepines and both work (although differently)
by increasing levels of GABA in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain and nervous system. It plays a crucial role in calming and relaxing the body by inhibiting nerve signals.
The main difference is that Klonopin has a longer onset but also works longer while Ativan kicks in faster but doesn't last as long.
I'm not a doctor but I'm going to guess that since the two drugs are so similar and have the same mode of action there wouldn't be much of a problem switching from one to the other.
Just a thought. Since pharmacists are very knowledgeable about medications and their actions they might be able to address your concern about withdrawal symptoms.
Just out of curiosity I think you mentioned Paxil. Are you still taking it and how does it work for you?
Once again, good luck. Why don't you post another update and let us know how you're doing.
WC

Hi Wildcat. Well, my experience has turned into an extremely questionable scenario. First, to answer your question, nom, the Paxil didn’t work out unfortunately.
Today my new DR told me to decrease Mirtazapine by 15 mg every 3rd day…I take 45mg. That doesn’t sound like a proper taper to me!

Another drug was added, 2mg of Trilafon (perphenazine) at bedtime. I looked it up and it said it should be used cautiously with COPD. The taper has me more worried than the new medication. I think you might have something to say.
Thank you. E.

WC, I’m sorry, I should add that I spoke with a pharmacist who was noncommittal!

Hi Wildcat, the saga goes on. The latest is to stay on Klonopin, 2,5mg/ day, 30 mg Buspar/day, taper off .Mirtazapine by 15mg for a few days while beginning 30mg Duloxetine/day then begin the taper of the remaining 30mg Mirtazapine. Stay on 200mg Lamictal/day. I’m also on gabapentin for a separate health issue.
I’m to begin the Duloxetine in the morning! I actually think I took it in the past with no luck but I’m very curious to read what you think and am hoping you reply before I begin. This all came about with a different ZocDoc. Thank you, WC!

Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner. I guess you're in trial and error mode and that's very frustrating when all you want is to feel "normal". All I can suggest is to keep working with the doctor and one day soon you'll hit the right combination.
What happened with the other ZocDoc? Did you have to start all over with the new one?
Did they explain why the Cymbalta was being prescribed? Unfortunately, I had no luck at all with Cymbalta but please don't let that influence your decision. It was early on and I was in the trial and error situation. I still am too to a very lesser degree. It's complicated because I have to re-locate frequently.
I'm just going to throw this in. You know, don't you, that you have a right to participate in your treatment decisions and to have it explained to your satisfaction? If you have input input it! Just don't let the doctor make all the decisions for you if you have concerns.
Stay in touch, okay? I'm rooting for you.
WC

Thank you so much. I didn’t feel well at all today so I didn’t begin the Cymbalta. Maybe you have some other suggestions as I’m quite sure I tried it before and it didn’t help.
I’m getting desperate as I have to have risky lung biopsies and have to somehow try to get this anxiety under control.
Yes, I changed doctors at ZocDoc, the first one was terrible and I’m not so sure about this one. I feel totally helpless at this point so any ideas you have would be extremely helpful. As always, thank you, WC.

I’m sorry, I should tell you I have Rexulti and Cymbalta here. The Cymbalta knocked me out one night so I didn’t take it again. The Rexulti didn’t really have any terrible effects and I only took it first 4 nights and thought it caused breathing problems and that’s the other thing I have to be very careful about. It may have been my imagination!

Yes, Rexulti has the potential to cause respiratory problems but the frequency has not been reported. Is the doctor aware of the COPD? They might consider the benefits of the Rexulti to be greater than the potential risk.
How did the Cymbalta knock you out? A temporary side effect that affects about 20% of users is somnolence (sleepiness). Or was it something else? The thing about side effects is that they generally resolve over a week or two and lessen each day.
We've got to find an anxiolytic for you that is effective. It's pretty much that or the benzodiazepines.
I take a medication called BuSpar (buspirone) which is an older medication that's not an antidepressant. It works well for me but from the reviews I've read there's like a 50/50 chance of it being effective. Although I've had no side effects I can't say that somebody else won't. Just something to consider.
WC