Meds that help specifically with HA?

[H_Anxiety 6]

Hi All, I think I'm to the point where I've accepted I'll need to try meds to ease the HA. It's affecting my life and family's life to drastically. I do have a phobia to meds, so this will be a battle in and of it's self. My question to the group is what has worked for you specifically around HA? My HA is around heart attacks and blood clots not cancer or anything else, just more immediate death. 

 

Thanks

[bin_tenn 1252]

I'm not aware of any medications that target health anxiety, but medications that target anxiety as a whole often work just fine. It's a form of anxiety like any other; no specific mental mechanism as far as I know.

If you're feeling like you should give meds a try, I recommend it. I'm not on medications yet, myself, but I'm working on it. A lot of people around here have had success with medication though.

Have you tried therapy yet? I have my second appointment Wednesday afternoon. I don't have any results yet, but it takes several sessions to get a real plan together. That's something else I'd recommend because I've personally enjoyed the experience so far.

By the way, I understand the cardiac fears completely.

[H_Anxiety 6]

Thanks, yes I did do therapy for two years (CBT) and had a great Dr. he retired and all the others I have tried have not been helpful. The good ones all have waiting lists, so frustrating. 

[bin_tenn 1252]

Have you gotten yourself on one of those waiting lists? Unfortunately, that's all too common. I'm told it's due to a shortage of mental health care professionals, along with an increasing demand for them - makes sense to me, but it sucks. Being on a waiting list is better than nothing at all.

[Leah1976 301]

I took lexapro for about 4 years and it helped... I think we need higher doses though, the ones that are prescribed for OCD, cause this is a type of OCD at least for me.... recurrent thoughts constantly and I can't shut down my brain. I would ask your doctor about it. It definitely helps!

[Angelica Schuyler 217]

1 hour ago, Leah1976 said:

I took lexapro for about 4 years and it helped... I think we need higher doses though, the ones that are prescribed for OCD, cause this is a type of OCD at least for me.... recurrent thoughts constantly and I can't shut down my brain. I would ask your doctor about it. It definitely helps!

I definitely agree with OCD-centered medications and doses if your hypochondria causes OCD-style traits like repetitive thinking and self-checking. I've found some help with a combination of Lexapro (which used to work for me fine on its own) and Luvox, which is prescribed primarily for OCD. The combination of these plus therapy has helped me rein in some of my thoughts and keep me out of the rabbit hole. I do think a higher dose of Luvox would suit me, though. 

[Angelica Schuyler 217]

Double post! Apologies!

Edited August 1, 2018 by Angelica Schuyler
double post!

[enidoreilley 83]

I sincerely believe that I would not be alive today were it not for Lexapro. I have had no success with therapy largely because the therapy that is covered by my insurance is basically a negligent level of insufficient. Around April I was prescribed Ativan and even though I've only needed it a handful of times, it's been a huge help to get me through the bad panic.

Obviously, what works for me may be all wrong for you. Work closely with a Dr you trust to get on medication that helps. If you need medication, get medication. I am still working to get healthy enough to wean myself off, but in the meantime Lexapro smoothes out my moods and makes life closer to what I imagine is normal.

[AshDone 23]

I take Lexapro and Seroquel. Seroquel is a mood stabilizer that you take at night, and it greatly complimented the affective ness of relieving my health anxiety.