I have PTSD and have been off of benzodiazepines for four and a half months after being on them
Illinois first then caravan since the early 1990's. Starting weaning myself off in early
October 2017. It was grueling and thought I was really going bonkers but really wanted
to stop taking them once and for all because my body would react when just one dose
was late or missed. Also, most FAMILY physicians don't like prescribing and 're-route us back
to Psychiatry. I'm 60 and know why I have anxiety. Had extensive therapy in past and with my NEUROLOGIST and therapist these were prescribed. This past December MY PCP put me on 150mg of atarax/Day. I had all types of side effects. I was the most anxious I had ever been I had this twitching thing going on with my head and especially shoulders. If someone sneezed next to me I would get overly startled and jump up or flail. At the bus stop when the cars went by everything became amplified. All my senses that is. I had to turn around and go back home because my anxiety level was so high. I called my PCP. She told me these were not from the Atarax. I had never felt this way before. I was still on a small amount of Atavan at that time. I had to call EMS later that month because my blood pressure was higher than normal and the first thing the NET or fireman asked if I was on Crystal Meth. I asked why he would ask that and he said because I looked like someone on Crystal-meth. I kept telling them no AND they even did drug screen at hospital. Humiliating. Saw my PCP and was told it was not the Atarax and gave me RX for another month. Well, I stopped taking it. The symptoms ceases AND when I told my PCP she said the symptoms were not a result of the Atarax. Gave her the benefit of the doubt and waited two weeks then I took only one dose 50mgs and the symptoms started. Especially twitching with my shoulders and all over irritability. It took three or four days when all that went away. When I did take the Atarax I developed this phobia about leaving the house. I don't know if it was from the symptoms at the time. Now I only leave for M.D. appointments and food shop once a month otherwise order groceries online. I think this may be a fear of the symptoms occurring again in public and that by my MDd telling me I do not need to be on the benzodiazepines. I feel maybe that wasn't such a good idea. I was told I have severe PTSD.
So my question would be at my age 60, female WHAT would a suggestion be for an anti-anxiety
medication that is non-addictive, non-controlled substances that is safe and can cover a myriad of symptoms that comes with the diagnosis of PTSD. I had all kinds of PYSCH. testing and was told I was not BI-polar yet many Rx I have taken MAKE me appear and act manic. I worked so hard at getting off benzodiazepines and want to be able to get an Rx from a PCP THAT doesn't require a Psychiatrist. The first thing they do is BRING out the Rx pad and a quick fix even writing Rx for Atavan as of recent. I walked out. Didn't take Rx. I left. What would you suggest. I'm not a druggie person and don't know what is out there and what my options are. Thank you