writehellarandomshiny Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 My Doc perscribed me the PRN "Vistaril" to help with my anxiety attacks. My plan was to take it once a week, when I get those really bad anxiety attacks. Either I didn't realize how many anxiety attacks I do get... or IDK. I took it: - Once on Saturday (not 3/1, the one before that) - Twice on Wednesday - Twice on Friday Is that too much? I'm only trying to take it when absolutely necessary, when I have a panic attack I can't stop. IDK. Doc said I could take it up to 4 times per day and I have 30 per month. I'm scared. I know you can't get addicted to the med, at least not according to my doctor, but I feel weak for relying on a PRN. In the past I could do it on coping skills. Why can't I now? IDK, maybe it was because partly I had more melt-downs in the past; I've certainly had less meltdowns. Does anyone else feel guilty for taking their PRNS as needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upset.the.world Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 (edited) I've definitely felt irrational guilt over PRN's, even to the point of quitting a PRN entirely because I felt like I was being weak every time I took it. It's possible that your guilt is triggering anxiety attacks, like a vicious circle. Pills are there to help. You're not at their mercy. Using the tools you have available to help you be at your best isn't weakness. Don't let guilt speak louder to you than truth. Edited March 1, 2014 by upset.the.world Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix_Rising Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 I have struggled with knowing when its time to take a prn med. I used to always questioning myself, "is the anxiety bad enough now to take a prn?" Then I decided that if I was asking myself that, it probably WAS time to take the med. And I've taken vistaril before with good results. I'm not sure why your coping skills aren't working as well now. Like Titania said, it could be other things going on in your life. Maybe your life is more stressful now. Do you still see a therapist? I think it would be worth exploring new coping skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonderful.Cheese Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Don't feel guilty! I know that's easier said than done. Your Dr prescribed you the vistaril for a reason. If he or she did not want you to take it or to have a prn at all, then he or she would never prescribed it in the first place. Do what you gotta do to get through the rough patches. I think you are taking your prn in the correct way it was prescribed. If you started taking like 6 a day, that would not be as prescribed. But you are doing wonderfully in taking it when you need it and only as prescribed! Good work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelleStPierre Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 You shouldn't feel guilty for using a medication that's been prescribed for you to help manage your anxiety. I take Vistaril and my usage is all over the map and depends on what's going on in my life. I get 150 25mg capsules per month and can take up to 6 caps per day; some months I have lots left over other months none. As for your possibly having more anxiety attacks than you were aware of, that is very likely. Personally, I don't think you should feel guilty for using your medication as needed to help you deal with a situation, especially if you're taking it with the prescribed parameters; IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyguy Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 (edited) Does anyone else feel guilty for taking their PRNS as needed? Yes! Recently I was put on ativan and I have a fear that I will gain tolerance and they will stop working! So I am using them very sparingly, less than I was prescribed, I even cut them in half when I need something to take the edge off the racing thoughts and anxiety in the evenings. It is a catch 22 I feel. They help a LOT but I'm quite worried about using them more in case they stop helping. How weird is that? My advice to anyone else would be: Use the medication as the doctor has recommended and there is no cause for concern. Nobody should feel guilty about sensibly using medication for its intended purpose and if tolerance does occur the doctor should help you deal with that. (although I don't know if tolerance is an issue with vistaril?) Of course it is much easier to give advice than to take it! Somehow it just feels 'wrong' to be using a benzo med regularly. Edited March 10, 2014 by crazyguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelleStPierre Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 My advice to anyone else would be: Use the medication as the doctor has recommended and there is no cause for concern. Nobody should feel guilty about sensibly using medication for its intended purpose and if tolerance does occur the doctor should help you deal with that. (although I don't know if tolerance is an issue with vistaril?) From my own personal experience with Vistaril, it is possible to build up a tolerance to it. I started with 1 capsule up to three times per day as needed for anxiety and after a few months I was up to two capsules up to three times per day. Luckily I haven't had to have it adjusted since and some months I actually have some capsules leftover. Please bear in mind, this has been my experience with Vistaril.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfred Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Keep in mind it is just an antihistamine, not a true tranqulizer. No big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAL9000 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Does anyone else feel guilty for taking their PRNS as needed? Yes! Recently I was put on ativan and I have a fear that I will gain tolerance and they will stop working! So I am using them very sparingly, less than I was prescribed, I even cut them in half when I need something to take the edge off the racing thoughts and anxiety in the evenings. It is a catch 22 I feel. They help a LOT but I'm quite worried about using them more in case they stop helping. How weird is that? My advice to anyone else would be: Use the medication as the doctor has recommended and there is no cause for concern. Nobody should feel guilty about sensibly using medication for its intended purpose and if tolerance does occur the doctor should help you deal with that. (although I don't know if tolerance is an issue with vistaril?) Of course it is much easier to give advice than to take it! Somehow it just feels 'wrong' to be using a benzo med regularly. I felt much the same but they prescribe it for a reason. If you have guilt issues keep track of when you take your PRNs. Bring the unused pills to your doc and ask if this is how she / he was planning for the use. I used a mood tracker that has a place to click for which meds you take that day and was able to sum things up pretty well. 4 in Nov, 12 times in Dec etc. Some doctors don't prescribe benzos because they don't want and headaches. And there really are people who are more easily addicted then others. I'm babbling but I agree about Vistaril. Its old, well known and safe. I've never heard of any addiction problems with it and I don't think you even need to sign one of those addictive drug pledges. As my friend says, "TAKE YOUR PILLS!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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