|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 9:54:00 GMT -6
Post by jrose on Aug 21, 2012 9:54:00 GMT -6
Does anyone else here deal with bad anxiety??
My whole summer hasn't been fun. During our vacation in June a sore throat popped up and I was having trouble breathing. Blamed it on allergies and asthma. That went away for a week or 2 and at the end of June I had my first panic/anxiety attack. I have never had one before, I'm not sure what brought it on, but it was really scary. I seriously thought I was having a heart attack. Went to the doctor and all my tests came back good. I had no appetite for nearly 3 weeks and lost near 20 lbs. I also felt sick and tired so nothing got done around the house. I thought I finally felt better after a few weeks. Still having sore throats here and there. My anxiety went down. But here I am again the past couple of weeks haven't been the greatest. I feel like I have been using my inhaler more, my throat is sore, I feel like my throat is closing on me, I have problems falling asleep because every time I lay down I feel like I'm suffocating and have to sit up because I can't breathe. My lips go numb, my hands and arms feel numb when I feel like I'm suffocating...it really isn't fun.
Yesterday I went to urgent care since my Dr. was overbooked. She (the urgent care dr) prescribed me xanax and she thinks I have a silent reflux. I finally got some sleep last night thanks to the xanax so I'm not even sure if the zantac meds worked. This morning I had a follow up with my Dr. who thinks I need to be on something every day, they gave me a sheet to fill out about my anxiety and it jumped 10 points from last time not good. She gave me the lowest dose of Citalopram (celexa) and that it will probably take a few days to weeks to actually kick in. I read reviews (probably shouldn't have) and people said the first week isn't fun but once it kicks in they feel great. I was really against taking meds but I really don't know what else to do. We think the anxiety is from all the stress with DH working 7 days a week and my throat problems. I go see an ENT on Monday in hopes to figure out whats going on.
Anyone else deal with anxiety??? This is really all new to me and I hate feeling this way.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 10:13:43 GMT -6
Post by bunsy on Aug 21, 2012 10:13:43 GMT -6
I have depression and have been on meds for about 10 years. My 19 yo twins both have anxiety issues and have been on meds for 4-6 years depending on which twin we're talking about.
My sister has pretty intense anxiety & depression. I know she is on Celexa which works for her. They did just add a 2nd med as her life has gotten pretty rocky in the last few months and she started having attacks again.
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this and hope the meds help. I was very resistent to meds as well but am SO thankful for them now.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 10:36:43 GMT -6
Post by doeeyedgirl on Aug 21, 2012 10:36:43 GMT -6
Oh, jrose, I know how you feel. I, too, deal with anxiety. I have dealt with it on and off since I had DS2. Last year, it was at it's worst. I actually ended up in the ER a couple times with an anxiety attack, thinking I was having a heart attack, also. It's not fun and many things, including just a chemical change in your body can set them off. I dealt with the fear of my throat closing, or choking, my breathing would get fast and shallow, my heart would race and palpitate, I would get tingles all over my body and feel like I was going to pass out. Don't read the reviews.
I have been on Citalopram for over a year now. It works great. I am not sure if your doctor explained this to you ( I have a great doctor who explains everything). There are three types of drugs on the spectrum for treating this disorder. To easily explain this, drugs on one side of the spectrum are kind of like a downer. The side effects can make you sleepy, etc. Citalopram is in the middle. It neither speeds up or slows down your body. It helps you hold your weight and deal with the types of anxiety that you are dealing with. The other side of the spectrum are basically uppers. They can decrease your weight, speed up your heart rate, etc. I started out with one of these and that is what threw me into one of my panic attacks. It was scary. Now all bodies are different, but it's great to educate yourself on the types of meds. Just stay away from the scare tactics and side effect stories. They are slim compared to the success stories.
The other thing I was prescribed was Lorazepam (Ativan). These were for my panic attack moments. They are only to be taken on the rough days, not daily. They help to calm the body and walk you out of the attacks. I usually took a half dose, because anything more than that would put me to sleep. But they help. And actually what helps the most is just having them with me. The peace of mind to know I can keep it under control.
Keep in mind that Citalopram is a med that you will have to wean off of when you decide to stop taking the medicine. I recently stopped taking it because we are TTC. I did discuss it with my doctor and she said that it would be ok to take them when pg, but studies haven't proven that they are NOT harmful. She gave me an alternative just in case that studies have shown do not effect the fetus or nursing child. It is called Buspar (Buspirone). This is a non-addictive drug that is considered a 'Type B' drug, where Citalopram are 'Type C'. This basically just has to do with the testing of women with nursing babies or TTC/PG. My doctor actually brought her medical book in and looked at all these things with me to make sure we were making the right decision.
Another alternative that doctors cannot really support because they are not FDA approved, are organic or natural supplements. I have heard that taking a Cal/Mag/Zinc vitamin once a day will help deter these. Magnesium is good to take before bed, to help you sleep. I have done both and they have helped. I truly believe that anxiety is 50% mind and 50% chemical. Some days, my overactive mind will throw my anxiety high. Other days, I wake up to it.
Support systems are huge. If you feel your anxiety is high or you are heading towards a panic attack, call that one person that can divert your mind or calm you down. For me, it's my husband and my aunt. Sometimes they can talk me out of one quite simple.
If you ever need anyone to talk to or need more advice, let me know. Knowledge is power, so that's why I know a lot about this. Utimately, knowing these things helps control my anxiety, too.
Hang in there and prayers are sent out for you.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 10:49:10 GMT -6
Post by supermommy on Aug 21, 2012 10:49:10 GMT -6
I'm not having any current issues and haven't in a long time but when I was in high school I had it sooo bad. I would have these attacks where I would stop breathing and faint. When I woke up I would start hyperventilating and freaking out even more restarting the cycle. My mom went through many horrific ordeals with me and my attacks. Went to the ER a few times, started medications but they only made other symptoms worse. I did go to meditation therapy and that helped a lot.
Hope the meds help you and like Cyndy said...check out some of the more natural options, because often times you end up hating the meds or they don't work the greatest, it is smart to have something to count on like supplements.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 12:56:58 GMT -6
Post by jlschlangen on Aug 21, 2012 12:56:58 GMT -6
I think I too have anxiety at times too. Have not gone to a dr for it. The anxiety comes in stressful situations or when I am on a freeway or at a party where I knew basically no one.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 13:14:59 GMT -6
Post by sarahisis on Aug 21, 2012 13:14:59 GMT -6
I had it when I was younger... mid 20's maybe.... I called it my quarter life crisis. I had it so bad in 2004 that I was put on heart monitors for three days and nights... a lot of my issues were actually while I was asleep. I was having anxiety attacks in my sleep and the cardiologists couldn't believe my heartrate was over 230 about twice a night... they say it was a combo of two things... acid reflux while I slept and post stress from my gallbladder surgery/nightmares. I was put on an AR med and citalopram and told me that when this woke me at night to sit up real straight and do some diaphramatic breathing...drink water and try and blank out my mind! The meds did help... just took a week to kick in. I was able to wean after about 9 months and haven't had any issue since.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 14:00:01 GMT -6
Post by cissy on Aug 21, 2012 14:00:01 GMT -6
I am on that med, actually you just reminded me to take mine for the day. I was on something else before and then last year I switched to this med and it has been working well for me. The doctor told me to take it during the early part of the day as it can make some people sleep extra long (husband who if would take at 10pm would not wake up for work in the morning). I will take mine about this time during the day, well anytime after noon and then I try to get it taken by now and 10:30 at night I am ready to sleep.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 14:40:36 GMT -6
Post by doeeyedgirl on Aug 21, 2012 14:40:36 GMT -6
I actually had to take mine at night, right before bed, because it was making me too drowsy during the day.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 21, 2012 15:28:25 GMT -6
Post by jrose on Aug 21, 2012 15:28:25 GMT -6
It's so nice to know I'm not on my own!! I took it around 10:30 and no side effects so far but I guess we'll see since I have only taken the one! There seems to be a lot of meds you can't take along with this. I didn't even think to ask the pharmacist before I left....will have to give them a call! Thanks for all the replies...really puts my mind at ease!
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 22, 2012 7:30:21 GMT -6
Post by onlyoneboy on Aug 22, 2012 7:30:21 GMT -6
I don't deal with this but a good friend of mine does. She did a saliva test to check her hormones and one of them was really low. She started supplementing that hormone and now her anxiety has decreased greatly. Might be something to check into.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 22, 2012 8:08:59 GMT -6
Post by deannemdm on Aug 22, 2012 8:08:59 GMT -6
Something else natural to try would be Vitamin D3 and fish oil- check with doctor-- has your vit d level or thyroid been checked? I have some depression (on meds for 8-10 yrs) and some anxiety with it (no med). I started on Prozac-- and instead on gaining weight like most-- I lost my appetite (and a few pounds in a month-- I can't afford to lose anything) and was put on Celexa--was on that for many years. I also was prescribed Trazadone to sleep because I had problems staying asleep-- helped big time. I was able to wean off (with doctor) celexa about 4 years ago--- and then about 3 yearss ago had issues at work and was pregnant. i was put back on celexa (since i was out of first trimester) but lost libido big time) and was put on Wellbutrin-- has been great. Sorry this got long. Hope it was helpful.
|
|
|
Post by jrose on Aug 22, 2012 8:13:06 GMT -6
I haven't had an appetite since Monday. I feel shaky and fidgety too. I feel so out of control.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 22, 2012 8:16:56 GMT -6
Post by doeeyedgirl on Aug 22, 2012 8:16:56 GMT -6
One of the things that helps me when I am feeling like that is to stay away from the caffeine. This is a huge trigger for me. I try to stick to drinking lots of water (dehydration can make us feel like that) and to eat protein. Even if it is just one egg or a piece of chicken, the small amounts help regulate our bodies, too.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 22, 2012 9:39:39 GMT -6
Post by sarahisis on Aug 22, 2012 9:39:39 GMT -6
I agree with Cyndy... water will help that shaky feeling... as will some protein... Id also stay away from sugar and any sugary drink... try a chicken sandwich with just a little bit of mayo or MW or something.. or the canned chicken is good too, something that doesn't have a lot of flavor to it.
|
|
|
Anxiety
Aug 24, 2012 11:43:18 GMT -6
Post by bumblebee23 on Aug 24, 2012 11:43:18 GMT -6
I have been dealing with anxiety and depression since I was a small child. I used to have panic attacks bad and on a daily basis. Your symptoms of feeling like your throat is closing and the numbness in your hands and legs are all normal. It is extremely scary to go through. Carry a small paper lunch bag with your and when you feel yourself start to hyperventilate breath into the back and try to stay calm and take deap breaths in and out. That helps it stay in control.
I was on Celexa for a long time but I didn't feel it did anything for me. My Dr has me on Zoloft which is suppose to help with the depression AND the anxiety. Anxiety usually comes on because of to much stress. It is probably a could idea to make an appointment with a therapist and see them for awhile. Maybe talking about your frustrations about things will help with your anxiety which in turn can get rid of the attacks. Also if you feel like your medication is not working you need to say something to your Dr because they will probably have to adjust the dosage. Using Antidepressents is not just a here take this and you will feel better kind of thing. Some medications work and some don't. I also suggest seeing a physciatrist for your medications they are better able to determine if/when you should have them and how to adjust the dosages.
One more thing antidepressants usually take a month to get into your system and really make you feel any better. They rarely ever work after just a couple weeks.
|
|
Back to the Top