Social Anxiety Support

GnR · 11-01-2009, 02:12 PM

So I went for the first time on saturday. I do have a regular doc, but he's only open monday to friday and I work an average of 12 hours a day, so it's real tough to get there. Anyways the past few weeks have been hell, I couldn't even go out for halloween (which has always been my favorite day of the year). So I decided to go to a walk in clinic. I explained all the issue's, the guy seemed to ask all the right questions and was taking me seriously. He asked what meds I had researched, or what I was interested in, and I told him an ssri (cipralex). I also told him I've researched benzo's (I used clonazepam as an example) and that I knew the risks and that they were only for short term use. He without hesitation says, "oh well we wont be giving you any of those" lmao. So he says he'll be right back, and I'm of course expecting to walk outta there with an ssri rx. He comes back and writes me a script for 60 .5 xanax, and tells me to take one in the evening and one in the morning. WTF. So apparently he thinks clonazepam is the devil, but its fine to put a patient hes never seen before on daily xanax. I wasn't seeking a benzo at all, I wanted to try an ssri, and I expressed that to him. Unfreakingbelievable.

Vini Vidi Vici · 11-01-2009, 03:06 PM

that is freaky man....that really is. thats the last thing id actually expect a doctor to do...maybe he got the two completely mixed up....well, clonazepam does have a longer half-life, and i personally beleive it is alot stronger than Xanax. Xanax wears off in about 4-6 hours for me, and it seems as if it weaker. Taking Xanax 2 times a day carried some issues of dependecy that are not easy to resolve...i just stopped taking 3mg of Xanax a day... withdrawal isn't exactly easy, especially since tolerance develops to Xanax very quickly. however, at least you won't have to deal with some of the SSRI side effects, at least not yet. But the SSRI should get stronger over time, while Xanax gets weaker. Thankfully, many doctors will give you an SSRI. they are very easy to get...you could probably even go to your primary care doc and get one. you don't have to stay with this dude...but maybe it would be wise to stay on good terms with him, if you happen to like the Xanax. ive found Benzos to be very useful in reducing the initial anxiety caused by SSRIs...its a very helpful agent to take for 2--4 weeks until the SSRI starts working.

GnR · 11-01-2009, 03:32 PM

Ya, I'll be going to my primary doc this week, its just a pain in the *** because now I have to lose a half days pay. Oh well. Regardless, I just think its lunacy to be trying to put me on daily benzo's before I even try an ssri. And don't get me wrong benzo's are awesome and they work wonders for me (I've tried klonopin as my girlfriend had some for her GAD), but I have a history of taking things to the extreme so it's not something I'm looking to as a first line treatment, and I dont think its professional of said doctor to recommend it.

11-01-2009, 02:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
GnR Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Vancouver Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 79	First doc visit So I went for the first time on saturday. I do have a regular doc, but he's only open monday to friday and I work an average of 12 hours a day, so it's real tough to get there. Anyways the past few weeks have been hell, I couldn't even go out for halloween (which has always been my favorite day of the year). So I decided to go to a walk in clinic. I explained all the issue's, the guy seemed to ask all the right questions and was taking me seriously. He asked what meds I had researched, or what I was interested in, and I told him an ssri (cipralex). I also told him I've researched benzo's (I used clonazepam as an example) and that I knew the risks and that they were only for short term use. He without hesitation says, "oh well we wont be giving you any of those" lmao. So he says he'll be right back, and I'm of course expecting to walk outta there with an ssri rx. He comes back and writes me a script for 60 .5 xanax, and tells me to take one in the evening and one in the morning. WTF. So apparently he thinks clonazepam is the devil, but its fine to put a patient hes never seen before on daily xanax. I wasn't seeking a benzo at all, I wanted to try an ssri, and I expressed that to him. Unfreakingbelievable.

11-01-2009, 03:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vini Vidi Vici Status: altruistic philanthropist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Gender: Male Age: 18 Posts: 275	that is freaky man....that really is. thats the last thing id actually expect a doctor to do...maybe he got the two completely mixed up....well, clonazepam does have a longer half-life, and i personally beleive it is alot stronger than Xanax. Xanax wears off in about 4-6 hours for me, and it seems as if it weaker. Taking Xanax 2 times a day carried some issues of dependecy that are not easy to resolve...i just stopped taking 3mg of Xanax a day... withdrawal isn't exactly easy, especially since tolerance develops to Xanax very quickly. however, at least you won't have to deal with some of the SSRI side effects, at least not yet. But the SSRI should get stronger over time, while Xanax gets weaker. Thankfully, many doctors will give you an SSRI. they are very easy to get...you could probably even go to your primary care doc and get one. you don't have to stay with this dude...but maybe it would be wise to stay on good terms with him, if you happen to like the Xanax. ive found Benzos to be very useful in reducing the initial anxiety caused by SSRIs...its a very helpful agent to take for 2--4 weeks until the SSRI starts working. __________________ Please don't take or trust any medical advice from me...Consult a perffessional. meds taken for extended period of time: zyprexa, zoloft, risperdal, klonopin, temazepam, xanax, agomelatine, ambien, adderall, metadate, EMSAM, selegiline, paxil, lexapro, wellbutrin, seroquel, trazodone, clonidine, tramadol, remeron, vyvanse, concerta, Lunesta, Parnate. Current Meds: Parnate 30 mg, Diagnoses- Major Depression, OCD, Social Anxiety, GAD

11-01-2009, 03:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
GnR Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Vancouver Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 79	Ya, I'll be going to my primary doc this week, its just a pain in the *** because now I have to lose a half days pay. Oh well. Regardless, I just think its lunacy to be trying to put me on daily benzo's before I even try an ssri. And don't get me wrong benzo's are awesome and they work wonders for me (I've tried klonopin as my girlfriend had some for her GAD), but I have a history of taking things to the extreme so it's not something I'm looking to as a first line treatment, and I dont think its professional of said doctor to recommend it.