Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety

Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 2 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 38 years old and have been taking 2mg Xanax for 9 years for a severe anxiety condition. My former psychiatrist left to purse inpatient health care and her replacement was a nightmare. She doesn't like to prescribe Xanax therefore decided to wean me off in 3 weeks time! I threw up and almost had a seizure several times. I lost my job, can't pay my bills and my anxiety is unbearable. My anxiety is a disease that my medication was able to treat. Since, I cannot find a doctor in my area, Columbus, OH, who is either accepting new patients or takes my health insurance. Also, my new former physiatrist, the replacement, decided to take me off my medication after I was attacked and assaulted in front of my home after arriving home for work. I was attacked while in my car and police are treating the case as an attempted abduction. I had a severe panic attack in her office shortly after this incident and she just sat there and didn't say or do anything to help me at all. My family doctor is appalled and disgusted with her actions. His medical practice's policy requires patients see a phiciatrist for anxiety meds, antidepressants, etc. I need help getting my anxiety under control again...I need my medication.

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Rapid weaning off is not recommended... Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query. I understand that you are going through a difficult time due to your severe anxiety problems. You have mentioned that you have been on Xanax 2mg for the last 9 years, but it was recently weaned off over 3 weeks. In my opinion as a psychiatrist, if a person has been on a benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication for a prolonged period of time, then it is not a good idea to wean off medication so rapidly. This may not only result in a rebound of your anxiety symptoms but also result in benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, due to the rules and restictions on this website, doctors cannot prescribe any medication online. So, I would not be able to prescribe any medication online for you. The options I can suggest are to meet your psychiatrist again and let her know that your rebound anxiety symptoms are very difficult to handle and that you would like to be weaned off the Xanax in a more gradual manner. If she is very particular about not prescribing any benzodiazepine medication, then you can ask for other anti-anxiety medication like SSRIs or Pegabalin - which can also quite helpful in controlling anxiety symptoms. Wish you a speedy recovery. Regards, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (3 minutes later)

I know...how or where can i go to get back on my medication?

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Any general practitioner can prescribe... Detailed Answer: Hello again, It is not mandatory that only a psychiatrist should prescribe anti-anxiety medication and many general practitioners prescribe them routinely. If your current family doctor has a policy against prescribing psychiatric medication, you can try consulting another general practitioner in your area. I'm sure the doctor will understand your problem because you have been prescribed Xanax for the last 9 years by a psychiatrist and you have a valid reason to ask them for a prescription. Hope this helps... Good luck. Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar