Hello everyone. I really need some long timers anxiety input. I have been battling anxiety for about 13 years (started around age 17). For around 4 years I dealt with it without medical intervention. When I say dealt with it doesn't mean I dealt with it well....I didn't drive for over a year because everytime I tried to drive myself some where i would have a panic attack and end up having someone pick me up. I finally started driving again and did relatively well until I had my son in 1998. I ended up starting zoloft in 1999. It has helped alot but I have still had some rough times. I only take 50mg and always feel worse if they try to up it. One time the tried to swith me Lexapro and that was a mess. I kept waking up with sever panic in the middle of the night. Anytime I came off the Zoloft the anxiety and panic return. My triggers are usually health related..feeling like I can't breath, having a heart attack, scared I have cancer. I have been taking xanax as needed for a couple years. Until recently I only went through 30 every few months. .25 mil is just enough to help me rationalize with my self. Well about 3 weeks ago I turned 30 and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and high cholesteral. It is reaking havoc on my anxiety. I have trouble making my self leave the house ...I am constantly paranoid that I am going to have low bloodsugar attacks. I know my dr doesn't want me to take xanax daily but I am falling apart here. I have three active kids, 2 part time jobs, and a bunch of other responsibilities...PTO, Kids sports...etc I don't have the option. to be agarphobic, I don't have the option not to drive I have to figure out how to get this under control fast. Since my Dr isn't afan of xanax she tried to switch me to klonipin once. She said it was longer acting and less addictive. I felt mentally impaired. My brain felt slow and I couldn't get anything done...are there any other options for me? Is longterm xanax use harmful? The meds I am currently on are as follows...
50 mg zoloft
claritan
10 mg zocor
3 novalog insulin ijections
1 Lantus insulin injection

Any advice for me is greatly appreciated I am scared when i run out of Xanax this time she will give me a hard time, but I have to function somehow.

Thanks!
Emily

:angel: Emily, I had never had a problem with anxiety until I was told by doctors to start taking Lantus insulin, which I did for 1 week at 10 units, where I had small reactions, but when they increased it to 20 units, I had a severe reaction, fast pulse, trouble breathing, chest pain, tightness from knees to head, and was hospitalized for 2 days. When I got out, the doctor told me to continue taking Lantus because according to her there was no way it could be the Lantus insulin, and of course when I went home I followed instructions and again ended up in the hospital. It has been 2 weeks since I have taken any insulin but I am still having problems with anxiety. My sister went thru the same thing and her doctor put her on Xanax after she switched to Levemir insulin. Levemir works similar to Lantus but is made differently and it has been working for my sister. My doctor changed me to Levemir also but I don't want to start taking anything until this feeling stops. From what I understand, it is probably the Lantus still being released slowly into my system. I would say talk to your doctor about changing your insulin but doctors don't seem to know much about the matter. I understand that your anxiety goes way back though, and I'm sorry for your situation. I will keep you in prayer!