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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 13:15:38
i'm in the midst of a bout with OCD and its been 2 weeks since i started back on my meds. my pdoc has said it'll be a good 4 weeks before they kick in (i hope i can make it), so in the meantime i'm holding on for dear life. i've been through this exact scenario before and its not any easier this time around. my nights have been relatively calm and peaceful, but last night i started worrying that i wouldn't be able to get to sleep and i'd lay awake all night. when the morning came and it was time to go to work, i wouldn't be able to get out of bed, my boss would fire me and i'd be in an even worse position. i took a xanax last night and that helped a great deal, went right to sleep. my question is this: what other things can i take that have a calming effect? xanax makes me so sleepy and i feel fuzzy headed if i take it during the day. i'm absolutely miserable, can't eat, don't want to exercise like i normally do, don't want to talk to my friends and am afraid i'll never feel "normal" again. help!
Posted by BRC on June 15, 2004, at 17:25:35
In reply to questions about xanax other stuff, posted by tampagirl70 on June 15, 2004, at 13:15:38
Hi, Xanax is in a class of drugs known as benzodiazapines. They work on a chemical in the brain called GABA. When someone gets anxious, scared, and panicky the GABA chemicals in the brain kind of go hay-wire. Xanax meds help by calming the GABA chemicals down. Xanax is a pretty fast acting medication and is one of the most powerful in its class.
You could try and reduce the amount of Xanax you take. Maybe take half a tablet which means it should only make you half as tired. There are also other less sedating drugs in the same class as Xanax that calm you down but don't produce as much sedation. The brand names are meds such as Klonopin (which I take), Ativan, Valium, etc.
You could also try and take a Tylenol p.m. I used to take them to help me sleep. But before you take any medication whether it is over the counter or prescription you should consult with a pharmacist or your doctor. Because mixing medication can be very dangerous.
Hope this helps and you began to feel better soon.
By the way you said you where having and OCD episode. I have a pretty bad case of OCD. What are your symptoms like? I don't mean to be impolite by asking a question like that. But I rarely see anyone on this board with OCD and I was wondering what helps and what doesn't.
Sincerly, BRC
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 16, 2004, at 7:24:51
In reply to Re: questions about xanax other stuff » tampagirl70, posted by BRC on June 15, 2004, at 17:25:35
my OCD flared up recently and now i'm going through major anxiety. i wasn't having any problems sleeping until monday night - i took .25 mg xanax and that helped a great deal. last night my eyes were slamming shut while i was watching tv, so i thought i'd be safe and go right to sleep. not so. 2 hours later i took the same xanax and i didn't sleep through the night, i kept waking up. my thoughts are about my marriage and my life in general. i never think about these things when i'm feeling "normal". its been 6 years since i went through my last major depression/anxiety/ocd episode and i feel like this is a carbon copy of the last one.
This is the end of the thread.
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