Can I reocver without meds???
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| Sun, 03-20-2005 - 1:51pm |
Hi there,
I posted this question over on the antidepressant meds board, but then I found this board and thought I'd try here as well since some of you may have experience with this. OK - I've been dealing with anxiety on and off since my first child was born. I had PPD then but got through it without meds. Then I had it again after our second child was born, but this time I took zoloft for about 6 months. Then about 6 months after I stopped taking it - my anxiety came back! Very strange because I'd previously only had PPD. Not sure if it was because she had just weaned, or what. Now I'm noticing that it's coming on a regular basis, so I think it might be related to my menstrual cycle. When I get it, it's not just panic attacks that last a certain amount of time and then pass. They last for days or weeks. I get anxious and worried, nervous and shaky, lose all appetite, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting - not fun. But I don't really want to start taking medication because I feel like I'm too young to be taking something for the rest of my life. I feel like I'm going to have to deal with this eventually, so if it can be done without meds, I'd just as soon as do it now. But then again, the tempation of meds is so strong - to take a pill and feel better. But what happens if/when it stops working?
So my question is, is it possible to beat this without meds? I'm going to see a therapist who specializes in anxiety, but can't get in to see her until next month. I'd like to manage it with diet, exercise, and therapy - but is that possible with the severity of my symptoms? When I'm in the middle of it, I can barely function - which is not good with two small children at home!
TIA...
- Adrienne

Hi Adrienne! Lots of people (myself included at one time) believe that they should be able to handle their anxiety/panic symptoms without medication. There comes a time, though, when its obvious that you need some help. From the sound of your post, I think you are at that point. When symptoms as severe as yours start lasting for weeks, something needs to be done. Its not a sign that you are weak, believe me. Its just the way some people are wired. I call it "high strung" because that sounds better than anxiety disorder, lol. It is very often genetic, and now both my daughters and my son have developed it. I remember my mother getting depressed.
At first, I tried to deal with it myself, but when I hit rock bottom, and was having back to back panic attacks all day long and waking up at night with a pounding heart and panic, and could barely function, I realized I needed to get on the ball. I can't tolerate antidepressants because of the side effects I experience with them, so I used Xanax as needed (maybe twice a week - more often if I was having a particularly difficult time). I saw a psychiatrist the other day, and he has temporarily put me on Xanax twice a day for the next six weeks. The reason for this is, while my panic is better, I am developing psychosomatic symptoms and pain that hangs on FOREVER. He believes I need to take the drug more often to get stabilized before going back down to an as needed basis. I don't have full blown panic attacks anymore, since I learned to relax through them, but the mind/body connection is so strong that I have nightmares and symptoms that seem to have a medical base, but nothing has been found to be wrong with me (I've been tested first, which is always the best first step when you have a symptom that lingers). You probably need to be on a medication regularly, on a daily basis until your body and mind have a chance to rest. Then, you may still have to be on meds occasionally for some time. If antidepressants work for you (and they do for millions of people) then this may be your answer. But please heed my advice about getting help NOW, because anxiety often keeps getting worse and worse, and the earlier you catch it, the better your chances of treating it successfully. Don't wait until you hit rock bottom, like I did.
Randi
Blessings, Suz
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