I am always afraid to take new meds that the doctor prescribes me. I know certain meds and my body just do not work well
Does anyone ever get anxiety over taking meds?
Question posted by Suzybelle on 20 Nov 2013
Last updated on 6 March 2025
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24 Answers
Hi,
Anyone who suffers from any kind of anxiety, will be anxious and afraid of trying new medications, and it is normal, until some lose their fear and get on with it and other people struggle and have to put up with the fact of accepting anxiety as a way of life because everyone is different and have different priorities and of course how medications in general affect them specially the potential side effects, which if you experience are horrible, there are more sensitive people to meds, some more than others.
A word of advice, from experience, this fear only makes things worse, generating more anxiety and doing more harm to people in need for treatment, so lose your fears, and get the help you need no matter what, life is precious we are suppose to enjoy it, at least a little, let´s live without fears that freeze us and makes us miserable people afraid of everything.
Have a positive mental attitude and face your fears and as I mentioned let´s try to live , at least a little.
All the best to everyone, masso
BTW: I just read one of the topics at the end and it says "Insomina", I have had chronic insomnia for over 15 to 18 years, treatment resistant and my lfe , as all my ailments have gotten worse, for the last 5 years, and these yearsmy life revolves around my sleeping disorder and it really has affected my brain, my cognition 100%, one from the lack of sleep, the medications, the anxiety, I can barely have a conversation I am tired all the time, have taken so many benzos, sleep/hypnotics, Seroquel (quetiapine) a second generation atypical antipsychotic (what does this mean 2nd generation atypical antipsychotic, it is supposed to have less potential side effects) for bipolar disorder, which I also suffer from and also to treat schizophrenia, and of course this mixture is making me lose my mind, but I will never give in, I will fight until my last moment, and I am only 56 y/o., been fighting for the last 20 to 25 years, not stuggling, and now I am only sharing, needed to, so thanks, not self victimization but sharing.
Thank you, masso
Yes taking meds for anxiety (GAD) has always caused me stress. The side effects on my blood sugar and pressure is always concerning . I have tried more ssri that I can even remember. Nothing has ever come close to making my stress not the thing I think about most of every day. I stopped meds once but got such panic attacks I had to go back on something.
Seems like the more meds you take the more you need to deal with side effects!
I was just prescribed Cefuroxime for a UTI I was given 1 gram of cephalexin at the hospital through an IV and then came home and felt... weird like really overstimulated couldnt sleep felt dizzy and nauseous despite them giving me zofran for nausea. I also couldnt sleep properly all night i was shaking and my face and skin felt really hot. ive so far taken 4 doses of the Cefuroxime and everyday i just feel uneasy, shaky, stressed and like i dont want to move or get up. I spoke to my doctor and asked him if I can stop taking it he agreed that I could. I just get so anxious like a mess and panic that its the medications doing it.
It's your anxiety talking! If you trust your health care provider (maybe you don't, but then why are you seeing her/him?) do you think that she/he would prescribe something that would hurt you? It's going to control your anxiety symptoms. Remember that the medications are less troublesome than having to live the way you do.
I just can’t take medicine, my nurse practitioner prescribed me antibiotics and I’m so scared take them, I know it’s ridiculous but I start crying when I hold the bottle. I wasn’t like this before, I was able to easily take medicine, but for some reason I can’t anymore. I hate it when people don’t understand. I start getting a panic attack after I swallow a pill. My heart starts beating fast and I get anxious about how long it will last in my body.
I am the exact same way and would not take any medication that might help me with my anxiety and depression. Last year I decided to see a Psychiatrist because I was definitely in a dark place. He was so understanding and prescribed my medication (Lexapro) in liquid form so that I could start at 1 mg and try and work my way up but he said it is at my pace and at this point I am only up to 3 mg.
Maybe this is something you could suggest to your doctor.
I thought I was alone, in my anxiety over taking new medications. I literally have had something sitting beside me for three days, and I haven't touched it. It's the lowest dose possible, and I take half of that. Yet my anxiety level is so high, I can't try it.My sensible side knows it will be okay, even if a side effect is nausea, but the anxiety riddled side, says no. You'll feel faint, your heart will beat fast. It's medication for Trigeminal neuralgia, I have no problem taking medication for anxiety itself.I have been taking the same thing, same dose for over 20 years.
I get anxiety before taking my medication to treat anxiety (Valium as per needed by request, didn't want to rely on the medication) even though I know the only effect it will give me is positive. I still don't understand why, but I guess it's just common for people to feel uneasy about putting a chemical in their body, usually referring to a new medication.
Yes. My anxiety isn't limited to taking new or previously prescribed anxiety medication but also includes antibiotics, but not OTC drugs.
Upon taking new medications I have unrealistic fears of anaphylaxis occurring- which lasts 3-4 hours after ingestion.
I totally do... I've been dealing with anxiety for years... feel misserable and still haven't find either the right meds nor the right dose... I fill my prescription and it takes me even weeks to start the first dose... and when I do I get so anxious... have you find anything that helps? Please help me
It is a good idea to educate yourself about medications. You can look up information about the meds at drugs.com and other reputable sites. Then you can weigh the pros and cons, and make an informative decision about whether or not you decide to take a particular medication. If you are uncomfortable with what you find in your research about a medication, then you can ask your doctor to please prescribe another medication for your situation that has less side effects. It's your body. This is a good thing to do for yourself. Anxiety comes from fear of the unknown. And it's wise to listen to your body when it's trying to tell you to be apprehensive of a med.
I have the same issue, I get new medications and automatically google them! Get scared when I see the side effects and don't take them. It's a horrible feeling. Currently my wisdom teeth are coming in causing lots of pain I was prescribed a pain reliever and can't seem to take it so I have been suffering. I wish I could just get over it.
Any time I am prescribed a new medication I have never taken before, my anxiety gets the best of me and I start googling all of the side effects looking for everything wrong I can find and a reason not to take it. I never used to be like this. Until I had a bad reaction to prednisone IV in the emergency room. That scarred me for life. I am so scared to take anything new. And if I do take any new medications, as soon as I start to feel some weird or minor side effect I freak out and make it so much worse then it is. Anxiety is no fun with medication side effects. I'm hoping all of this goes away soon, I hate to be like this. People think I'm crazy.
I know this was back in 2016 but I’m on the same page! They put something in my iv at the emergency room which I don’t remember agreeing to and I had bad reaction and had my worst panic attack. Ever since that I’m so scared on taking new medication. I got prescribed to an antibiotic yesterday for an ear infection and I’m scared to take it because one doctor said I had hpb and looking at the side effects it says that increases bp. I don’t know what to do!!!
I am sitting here discussing this right now. I took tramadol for back pain and it's low dose 50 mg... I get anxiety whenever I take any meds I'm always afraid of feeling any bit funny... so I'm sitting here and start feeling hot and sweaty then my heart starts to race I get this uneasy feeling to get up and move around or hide in the bathroom... I'm glad I'm not alone... anyways I am getting better I actually tell myself it's all in my head keep repeating that take some deep breathes maybe some fresh air or cold wash cloth on back of neck... once feeling somewhat calm I grab a blanket lay on the couch and try to stay relaxed.
Yes I’m there same it’s veey scary experience to be honest
Anytime I take anything new I’m so sacred cause iv had reactions to things before
And look for them when I take new things
I do the same I walk around and panic go bed or go bathroom
Just trying to tell myself it’s in my head
Hi Jennifer,
I know you posted this in 2013, but I want you to know I feel the same way. I have been taking a muscle relaxer for years without any side effects. I'm very sensitive to meds but this one is okay. The last few months I have been so anxious taking it. I suffer with pain and am afraid to take it even though I know I've taken it before and am fine. I don't know what's happening!
I have been on a plethora of medications ans have tolerated them a fine. Out of the blue in worrying about every single thing I take rigjt down to heart medicine. All I can think and worry about is drug interactions have I just been teetering on the edge all this time all sorts of lovely destructive thoughts. You absolutely are not alone. I really think it is displaced anxiety. Its ridiculous when you're terrified to take the pill that's supposed to make you not terrified!
Yes I also fear of taking new meds , I'm so scared of the outcome. Please if you guys are still going though this like I am reply back
Ugh me too! My dr just prescribed cymbalta and I'm so nervous to start. I've had bad reactions to Zoloft, Effexor and Lexapro. But I think I'm gonna try it, this isn't getting any better! Anyone else have advice in general or in relation to cymbalta?
I am deathly scared of new medications since I had a reaction to z-pack turn yellow liver was failing and kidneys to what hell now They’re trying to put me on other antidepressants Prozac started to swell my throat Zoloft did the same Cymbalta made my brain zap and like I was missing time when I was talking to people, and there was a few more. I have been taking Xanax for 15 yrs never miss used the an anyway. That’s what works the best for me.
Oh my gosh here I sit right now.blood sugar still high and doctor last month changed me to glyizide I am scared to death to take it I feel for you so bad I wish there was something we could do I just worry so much I was on glyizide I just am so scared good luck
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