Q: I have taken myself off of Oxycodone following a serious back surgery that I've had. My DR. warned me of withdrawals and prescribed Ativan to help. It's been 4 days and I am having mild to medium panic attacks ( which, I have never suffered from before!) I am depressed and can not stop crying. I have only taken the Ativan a couple of times because I think it makes more depressed. Anything else I can do? I've talked to my DR and he said it's all part of withdrawal....Any advice? BTW, the panic attacks and depression are the only withdrawal symptoms I am going through thank god! Is there anything else that I can do to stop having these panic attacks?? Should I just take the Ativan and not worry about it so much? To Bill L. I have never abused and drug. Before my surgery, the strongest drug I took was advil. I don't like prescription drugs. That's the reason I wanted off of these...... I don't know why the word "and" is in the middle of abused and drugs...
A: If only someone could just "not worry about it". Anxiety takes hold of you whether you want it to or not, really, but is usually triggered and fueled by your own thoughts and feelings. Usually drugs can take the edge off, maybe ask him for a different drug. My mother was put on Zoloft when she went through my parents divorce and she felt much worse on Zoloft, so the doc switched her to another, I think Celexa and that one actually helped a lot. Ask your doctor for other options and tell him you're not doing well with the anxiety attacks.