Hello everyone,
Note to moderators; I don't really know where to put this as it concerns multiple drugs ?
I'm a long time member on here but thankfully (and in the nicest possible way) don't need to come on very often.
I have a long standing heart health problem which I won't go into as I know many have worries about their hearts.
My GP previously has prescribed Oxazapam as a chill pill as and when I need it, only letting me have 5 per month. This worked well for a number of years with me not needing to take them sometimes for months.
I had a recent heart flare up which required hospitalisation which in turn sent my anxiety to red alert levels! Upon asking for a chill-pill whilst in hospital I was given diazapam at 5mg and have continued to take two 5mg pills a day since, well until today.
Also, over the years I've resisted taking any anti deps / anti anxiety pills. Last time I did it was citilopram which turned out didn't help my heart condition. My GP had recommended Sertraline as being safe but I declined the offer to take them.
This latest flare up has been very tough on me and I've agreed and have started taking the sertraline, half a 50mg for a week, then a review with the GP then a step up to 50mg or a full tablet as from next week. I'd rather not take anything at all but really feel I need to help at the moment.
As well as the diaz, the recently started sirt I also take a hefty dose of beta blockers and also a rather toxic heart rhythym drug called Amiodarone. I also pop the odd Zopiclone sleeping pill, well actually every night for the last few weeks.
And now the questions...
1, How long or how quickly does it take to build up a dependance on the diaz? I've been taking x2 5mg a day for almost three weeks now. Until today where I've taken none. Earlier today, at times I felt really edgy but did not take one (or any at all today). Is it possible that even after three weeks that I was suffering withdrawals?
2, How long does sirtraline take to kick in, I assume it will be a week or two after I'm up the full dose? I've also had a look at the sirt sub-forum and it scares the hell out of me but speaking to two fellow heart pateints on another forum with a similar condition to me, they have both said it made a huge difference to them being able to function without anxiety overwhelming them.
3, Is the zopi combined with the diaz overdosing me and adding to the possible dependance?
4, Generally; taking the heart medication is bad enough but with the added worry of the chill-pills, am I over worrying? Is is possible to build up a dependance this quickly? Is just stoppinglikely to do me harm or should I taper off?
Just to add my symptoms are the sudden onset of very powerfull anxiety rushes to borderline panic attack level. This happens mainly when I'm at rest or in bed. These sudden rushes really are very powerful but from experience will diminish as more time passes from the recent flare up of heart problems I've had. What makes them better is for me to keep moving, standing and distracting myself. The problem is it is exhausting doing that and at some point I need to go to bed.
It might sound strange but l feel a bit like a shark, where if they stop swimming, they sink and .....
I'll quite happily go into detail about the heart issues if needs be but don't want to unduly worry those who suffer heart health anxiety.
Any thoughts, advice or observations and of course good news stories more than welcomed.
Many thanks
Colin.