I have been prescribed fluoxetine, xanax, and hydroxyzine for anxiety. I am terrified to try any of these medications. I do not know which one to take. My quality of life stinks, I struggle daily with anxiety. I am tired of anxiety, I am tired of being scared of my medication. I want to know if there are any other who struggle with the same things and how you overcame it?
How have some of you got over the fear of medication and took it?
Question posted by HerbFromAccounting on 13 Nov 2018
Last updated on 14 November 2022 by ttbrdlady
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7 Answers
ttbrdlady
14 Nov 2022
I’ve been on quite a few different meds. There’s some I’ll Never ever take again. Xanax isn’t one of them. Much stigma comes from the media. This is old. Do u still need help? Have you tried Herbs? I see many on social media. Not a teen. lol I’m 74 I’m more Leary of “New” meds. FDA gives premature approvals. I also don’t trust some shots.
Hopeful1979
18 Nov 2018
Your not alone. I struggle with the same problem. I have severe anxiety to the point I need to be prescribed something, but im.afraid to try.
Queen of Anxiety
17 Nov 2018
I have always had a horrible fear of taking medications, antibiotics, allergy medicine, cold medicine, etc, and especially taking anything to do with my mood or thinking, I refused them for many years and just suffered instead.. I finally got to a point that I forced myself, and within an hour of taking an anti-anxiety med (clonazepam) I actually felt better, mind you I paced the floors until it started to work but once it did it was such a huge relief! Same went with the Zoloft, I was terrified of it but luckily I had my Dad who also took it to reassure me that he felt fine taking it really had no side effects other then the occasional yawning. So trust me the anxiety is what keeps us from even giving things a chance at relief not the meds themselves.
Oh, and if you're anything like me if you google reviews of other people's opinions of it, try to skip all the negative comments and just go with the positive, if you see those it will just fuel the anxiety of taking it. Mind you, not all meds are compatible for everyone we are all different but if you have any effects that you aren't really comfortable with just let your doctor know. But there are meds that really do work and will give you your life back, just have to decide whether the suffering from the anxiety is worse then any side effect from the meds can cause. If one medicine doesn't work for you, the side effects don't last forever, they will be able to find what does work for you. You can do it! If I can do it (someone who is scared of cold medicine even lol) You can too! Oh and this is a personal choice but when it comes to taking antidepressants or anti anxiety medicine the tried and true old meds make me feel more comfortable taking then the new ones, that is just my opinion though they have been around a long time for a reason. Good Luck! I hope you feel better soon :)
HerbFromAccounting
17 Nov 2018
Thank you. I have not tried my meds for anxiety yet, but I have taken an antibiotic this evening, which is huge for me. I feel uneasy but I know that is just my anxiety. Hoping this is the step in the right direction for me. Thank you for your kind words!
Nitro061
14 Nov 2018
Medications are great in my personal opinion.
I tried everything on the market for a myriad of chronic issues. My literally team of doctors just kept throwing pills at me trying desperately to get something half way not suffering. If you are curious about any drugs and their side effects let me know, I lived it all.
Xanax is not medication to be taken everyday... if you do eventually you will become tolerant and immune to the medications intended purpose. If you only use it when necessary it will do 2 very, very important things. ! You will probably get relief and confidence knowing it’s there.
Second it will pull you through some dark days.
Inactive
14 Nov 2018
Hi Herb: The reason you are afraid to take your medications, don't you see, that it is exactly the reason why you need to take them? ANXIETY - It's the nature of the beast! When I would start an antidepressant, I would talk myself out of taking it by looking up all the "possible" side effects, imagining that I would be worse off developing many, or all, of these in my situation, then believing that I was better off health wise just dealing with my anxiety without medication, as opposed to all these "physical" side effects. Then I would worry that I was not doing anything to help myself to feel better. Then I would feel guilty that I was allowing myself to live with this debilitating anxiety/depression instead of helping myself! Argh! I was driving myself crazy!!! I was on the proverbial hamster wheel and going no where!
So, finally, I succumbed to taking the medication, secretly hoping that I would not develop some life-threatening disease (of course these medications surely being the cause, in my negative thinking at the time, which was fueled by my anxiety, that is), all the while "hoping" that I would survive physically, while trying to get help with my mental health from the medications prescribed by my doctor. Only a couple of years ago I had a doctor suggest to me to take Buspar (buspirone) for my anxiety, which works wonderfully well for me! My current doctor, who I feel blessed to have been put in touch with, prescribed Trintellix to go along with it. And yes, I have also taken hydroxyzine to help me get a decent night's sleep. I also am prescribed lorazepam for certain dental procedures.
I decided to listen to my doctor for a change. Guess what? I feel great!
I don't obsess over negative thoughts about my health as I used to. I wake up happy and looking forward to the day ahead. I don't ruminate over negative thoughts. Life is so much better now. Please try your medications. Have faith, have a positive attitude. What do you have to lose? It can only get better! Give yourself a chance to feel better!
Stephen Treloar
14 Nov 2018
Thanks for sharing.
HerbFromAccounting
14 Nov 2018
Thank you. You really understand whats going on. Your post actually made me feel better.
WildcatVet
13 Nov 2018
Hi, Herb! To be blunt, I got sick. Sick of being tired, sick of being afraid, sick of living my life like a hermit, sick of not sleeping, sick of all the fears, sick of the hospitals.
I was at a point of no return... either the medications or the worst was going to happen. I chose my meds and now I'm enjoying life as a happy and fully functional person.
As they say, try it. You may find you like it too.
All my best wishes to you!
Ros 2
13 Nov 2018
Hello HerbFromAccounting, Don't be afraid to take your medications, your doctor prescribed them to ease with your anxiety! I take Xanax for my anxiety .25mg (3) times a day & diazepam in the evening at bedtime. I have severe stenosis in my back & neck (My Rheumatologist has me taking Lyrica for nerve pain as well). I'm very sensitive when it comes to medication, but sometimes things get so bad that one has no choice but take the meds. It might be helpful to see a Therapist that you can talk to!
Take care & be well
Related topics
xanax, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, fluoxetine, hydroxyzine, fear, prescription, medication
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