Culture - Anti Anxiety Presciptions in the UK

[Kristy]

Hey everyone,

SWIM has been a lurker on this forum for a while and hopes someone may be able to help SWIM with the following:

How often are anti anxiety medications prescribed in the UK? It seems to SWIM they are largely prescribed in the US but less over here.

Has anyone from the UK on here actually been prescribed anti anxiety medication SWIM would like to know?

Any info would be appreciated

[Fantasian]

SWIF has commonly been prescribed anti-anxiety medications, mostly benzodiazapines. SWIF's GP has given many differant benzo's to him including but not limited to the following:

Diazepam
Zopiclone
Temazepam
Lorazepam
alprazolam

[Kristy]

Hi, thanks very much for the reply.

SWIM is currently prescribed a beta blocker for anxiety (as SWIMs anxiety is generally accompanied by a rapid heart beat). SWIM feels it helps a little, but SWIM has a lot of trouble sleeping due to anxiety and the beta blocker, sadly, does not treat this.

SWIM was just curious as to whether or not anti anxiety medication would be the next step (although SWIM is unsure whether or not it would even be a good idea).

Thanks for your help, SWIM gathers from SWIY's other threads that in your case, benzos are used as part of pain management, do you also suffer from anxiety problems??

[Fantasian]

SWIF suffered occasionally from Anxiety problems primarily from the withdrawals caused by opiate use. All legitamately mind you for pain not for pleasure.

Benzodiazapines and strong and effective, they are greatfor sleep and anxeity and in the short term will help SWIY dramatically. But they are no long term cure, their addiction potential is high and the withdrawal second to none. (the withdrawal can atually be fatal)

If SWIY is prescribed benzo's make sure he uses them short term or sparingly to get maximum effects clinically.

Remember tolerance develops quickly,

feel free to ask any further questions

[Kristy]

Thanks for the help, SWIM does appreciate just how addictive benzos can be. At this stage SWIM gets the impression from her doctor that they arent really an option anyway.

SWIM thinks her doctor would rather put her on antidepressants first, although SWIM can honestly say she does not feel depressed and in fact has a lot to be happy about.

SWIMs anxiety is really just down to worrying about things outwith SWIM's control. If someone in SWIM's family goes on a night out, SWIM will worry about them until they get home and things like that. As a result, SWIM sleep terribly (SWIM has been prescribed Zolpidem for this in the past but for no longer than one month periods).

SWIM is seeing her doctor soon so we shall see what happens.

All the best xxx

[oggy]

Originally Posted by Kristy

SWIMs anxiety is really just down to worrying about things outwith SWIM's control. If someone in SWIM's family goes on a night out, SWIM will worry about them until they get home and things like that. As a result, SWIM sleep terribly (SWIM has been prescribed Zolpidem for this in the past but for no longer than one month periods).

Hmm this sounds like Swiy might have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Swim's ex girlfriend had OCD and every time he wanted to go out with his mates she would start crying. This made it very hard for us to get along with each other and I had to end the relationship.

Swim still talks to his ex girlfriend. When they split up she went onto Prozac (Fluoxetine) and no longer has OCD.

If she went on it sooner we might still have been together.

[OccularFantasm]

SWIM also has insomnia and extreme anxiety, as well as OCD. SWIM has found mushrooms to be helpful, but as these are not so legal and are relatively scarce in swims area, Swim has tried the traditional western medicine approach. Swim has tried different anti-depressants, as well as zolpidem (ambien) 10mg, lorazapam, diazapam, etc. The only drug out of all these SWIM found had any effect whatsoever the zolpidem, and that isnt until after taking between 5 and 10 during the day. Ironically, swims sleeping patterns got worse after taking that, not to mention being really really miserable, mean, and depressed. As the maximum dosage is 10mg per day, Swim figured he had better find something else. SWIM currently jus smokes an eighth a day of buds and mushies a couple times a month. SWIM is wondering if any other people have had similar experiances, as SWIM has never heard of this happening to anyone but swims-self. SWIMS doctor was more than willing to prescribe things to take instead of weed, as swim is sick of smoking so much every day, but nothing works. SWIM also has no euphoric effects from any synthetic opiate (ie: codiene, vicodin, oxycontin), only from opium itself.
In fact Swim doesnt even get the anasthetic effects of opiates. SWIM doesn't know if this could be related, but since both types of drugs seem to be ineffective on swim swim thought hey maybe there is a link. The addiction of opiates works on swim unfortunatly, leading swim to hate them. any input or comment would be appreciated, even if it is 'i have never heard of that'.

Also SWIM is from the states and these pills are given out like candy here.

[Micklemouse]

Sounds like SWiK has a gp with at least half a clue. It might be worth asking him/her about CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) or similar, as it sounds like SWiYou gets more stuck in loops of negative thought, leading to anxiety & insomnia, rather than having random panic attacks. A Certain Mouse tells me he agrees that benzo's would more than likely do more harm than good, & that antidepressants would probably be inappropriate.

Out of interest, how much caffeine does SWiK drink (including cola's, Red Bull style drinks, Dr Pepper, as well as tea & coffee)?It may be worth cutting down, especially if it's drunk in the evening - substitute for chamomile tea or similar (a lot of people really don't like the taste, but a bit of honey usually does the trick). Also valerian is a very useful sleep aid - available over the counter at most health food stores & a lot of chemists too - be careful not to exceed the stated dose though. It'll keep you awake and/or give some nasty nightmares in high doses.

Cannabis also can contribute to the symptoms you've described, especially the higher potency strains - if SWiK is a smoker, again try to cut down, & if SWiK is a skunk smoker, try to find some ordinary, non-genetically modified weed.

Hope SWiYou find a solution soon - those loops are a bitch, but dealable with!

[Kristy]

SWIM has been prescribed Zopiclone (2 weeks worth) for now so SWIM is happy a good nights sleep is ahead.

SWIM really doesnt actually drink any caffeine and generally has a good diet. SWIM hasnt smoked any kind of cannabis for over 2 years now. SWIM did have about a 9 month phase of regular smoking but quit after it got SWIM feeling slightly paranoid. SWIM was also a recreational XTC user, still does occasionally but not so much.

SWIM has actually been referred to see an Anxiety Management specialist next Thursday morning, the appointment is for an hour, so hopefully it will be helpful, SWIM's doctor seems to think it will be good for SWIM.

Thanks for the help, SWIM is positive everything will be resolved over time!!

[Sickpup]

Whats funny when SWIM hears the UK peeps talk about anti-depresents, is that they seem to favour the american aproach of the ssri.When the UK pharmas were right all along with thier approach to treaing depression the DRI,i.e wellbutrin by Glaxo.In the US the long term effects of the ssri are showing.Most docs are pulling people off them in favour of wellbutrin and benzos. so as an american swim admits the UK was right.