Hi guys. I am 39 male generally healthy etc. I have been to the doctor a million times, ER, I see a psychiatrist, I am doing CBT. All my physical tests negative, blah, blah, blah
ive had anxiety problems fort about 20 years. Now I will say I haven't had a 20 year panic attack but it comes and goes. Maybe a good year or two, maybe a bad 6 weeks,etc. I have literally tried every medication out there. I had some success early on with Effexor and Remeron combined. Still on Remeron(probably doesn't do much but help me sleep) but went off Effexor after 10 years. Classic, I feel fine = eventual relapse. I tried to go back on it several times with O success. I developed this INTENSE intolerance to SSRI type meds. I can't even get past the day 1 dose. The side effects are unbearable particularly in all honesty the increase in rolling panic attacks. And as most sufferers know you will do ANYTHING to avoid that feeling.
So psychiatrist has me taking xanax xr .5 1 time a day and xanax .5 ir as needed. Look I don't want to take anything period! But if I get relief from anxiety symptoms you can bet I will take xanax. I know it's a band aid. So I don't want to hear about how addictive it is. I suffer daily. I'm at risk of loosing my job,house,etc. From what I have read some people have been treated quite successfuly with it even long term. Frankly either the dose I'm on which is really quite low, or the level of anxiety I have, these meds do help me very much at times but it's not fully helping and I'm sure I get rebound anxiety once it wears off. I'm so lost, sick, angry, tired,etc etc...of course most anxiety sufferers know that it's not long before the depression kicks in too. Even though I have been here before I feel like I'm running out of hope and energy It helps to have someone to relate to. Any thoughts?
Brandon, sorry to hear that. If you don't want to take any medication for it, then don't. There are natural ways for you to tackle your anxiety, and to prevent depression as well. There are some good coping strategies as well that you could try perhaps, but you possiby have tried that already, maybe. This that you feel lost, sick, angry, tired etc are signs of very low level of serotonin and dopamine (called happy brain chemicals). When serotonin is absent, you feel depression and loneliness. When dopamine is absent, you feel lack of enthusiasm, self doubts. I'll send you link in private message, just to read maybe some coping strategies perhaps you it might help you in some ways. Exercising can increase brain serotonin! If serotonin and dopamine are correct level, the required level, you'll be happier. Doctors nowadays yes they are giving many diffenet prescribtion drugs anti depressants etc but as you said they are many different side effects... Drink water, eat healthy, and I hope you'll feel better soon and that the hope and energy will be back. Take care.
Would you send me link too..I am exactly the same as Brandon..can not take a/ds only take xanax, but I am very anxious and depressed. x
same as you ,in every way, ssris a/ds make me super anxious..and the others i tried left me so lightheaded I couldnt walk.I also take xanax 0.5 three times daily..I really dont care at this stage, if their addictive or not..anything for relief...but, yes they do cause rebound anxiety..I have this anxiety for over 20 years..Doctors do not understand..x
I'm a big supporter of trying natural methods before medication but one piece of advice I'd like to offer is to taper off your medication slowly while you substitute it with something natural. In addition you might want to get blood work done because some natural plants and vitamins can strain your organs if too much is taken. I would recommend seeing a naturopath. They can check your bloodwork and make recommendations.
In my situation I'm unable to go all natural. I was diagnosed with bipolar II (which is very different than bipolar I). The main indicator was the effect of an SSRI I had taken. It put me in a manic state. Apparently that's the number one indicator. For those that have experienced this with SSRIs, it's something worth looking into. I'm currently on a mood stabilizer that allows me to take an SSRI though it hasn't been incorporated yet.
I do hope you are successful with your new treatment plan. I know the feeling of torture from anxieties. I too have had it for many years - 15+ years and I too went off effexor many years ago because I felt fine. I wish you good health.
Keep searching for the right approach. My plan right now is to try and stabilize at least a little and then introduce a low dose of cymbalta. This is psychiatrist recommended as cymbalta is actually an SSNRI and is known to be more tolerant that the others. My problem is staying on them long enough to get any result or knowing that it isn't working which means I have to take a clinical dose for about 2 months in order to get a proper sense of if it's working. So I might be boosting my xanax or something during that start up stage. I hate being doped out but once you get past the first week or so it usually gets better.
Brandon if you're ever super anxious or having a panic attack and need support, go to YouTube and search for panic attack emergency. There are several to choose from just pick one and they walk you through it. Works better if you have earbuds.It helps when you're alone and really need support!
they also have many many other audio meditations for anxiety, depression, getting a good nights sleep etc. I do this at least once a day usually when I lie down to sleep. I hope you feel better soon
Have they thought about klonopin instead rather then daily samax. Bith benzos but klonopin last longer and is more steady.
Look it is a disorder. It come amd goes and cycles. Until science figures this out its our for life. But you know at some point again it will calm itself down. Try to think abiut the trigger of it all this round. I find there is a trigger to it, yes it random and all that but i mean initially.
you can go out on disability if needed as well. Of its that unmanaged and you feel you are at risk look into that.
dont lose hope you. Beat this before and you will again.
Sometimes depression comes first then anxiety. Thats what i mean by trigger. I have never used ssris i cant and never will. Back when i could take meds i despised ssris. Made it three days ince and trashed them. Truth is meds work well on 30% of thenpeople use them. Thats the real statistics. Many manufacturers pulled out now. Science neds to figure this out. 50% use them but dont get the desired result. The ither half cant use them. They dont work right. 20% difference with some meds and no meds, . Benzos work but you inow it wont belong before that dose doesnt pan out. Thats why i asked you about klonopin. And it is a slow slow wean off these. But i get you have to function which dam be hard at times. Im not judging.
Cbt is ok. They have dbt too which takes it a level up. Amd mindful exercises which save me. Nit a ling drawn out meditation its a belly breathing and mind thing, you give yourself oermission to nit think ni matter what for the 3-5 minutes. And belly breathe. And pick a word to ise whilst you do this. But no reap thoughts allowed no matter what. The goal is to calm down and if you kaster calm for five minutes fight or flight resets. Supoosedly. But it does work i am living proof.
dont look for the anxiety. I have done that so foolish. If you soend the day wondering ehen its coming or what will send you off or anything you are basically summons it up. And it will always appear for you. We are programmed to survive. So negative seems to be way easier to embrace.
They are using many other meds off label as well. Basically many from all areas because it seems anxiety attacks and anxiety effect so much of the body they all help.
anyway no real answers for the cure but i just wanted to remind you you got through this before and you will again. It cycles. It just does, i use am emergency Xanax. Many do. But as needed. Usually they do flip it to klonopin.
good luck. I hope it all calms away and lets you be for a while so you can get back to living. I know its no help in your own life but you so not alone in this. Oh and if possiboe try bio feedback. Look into that in your area. I have no ckue if insurance civers it but i had a good six years free after i did. You are hooked up to a machine then you see how to breathe for you to truely calm down your body, maybe when i learned mindful calming it worled well as I had bio feedback in my past. The body rememebers most everything as does the mind,
Thanks that was genuinely thoughtful. I will get through it. I won't stop fighting. But honestly it's more helpful relating to people that have similar issues than most of anything else. Cbt isn't for me but I'm trying to work whatever I can even if it helps .00001% I am trying. We are all together in this and support and people like you who take the time to help others is awesome. Thanks very much
Hey Brandon,
I'm in the same boat is you man. I've been to the ER so many times. And my dad actors. And my psychiatrist. I know they look at me like I'm pretty crazy. Anxiety and depression is no joke. I go to groups where I can talk about my issue and I know that it's a temporary fix but maybe that something you could look into. I find a talk therapy does help for a little bit of time.
It's relating to people like yourself that is helpful. We are in this together. It will pass if we stay diligent and be patient. We won't die. Thanks and if you ever want to vent or need someone to chat with let me know.