need helpful hints

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
need helpful hints
7
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 2:29pm
Hello, I am new to the forum. I am suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. They both started in April. My husband was diagnosed with cancer in Feb 2005. The doctors are telling me my anxiety is due to his illness. He is cancer free at the moment. He had chemo and radiation. I was his care giver and was working full time. I wore myself out. I am currently on a leave of abscence from my job due to the panic attacks. I had three attacks, all at work, which I went to the hospital for. It is so hard to believe that the syptoms were all from tension. I am unable to take medication, everything the doctor has tried, I have had terrible reactions to. Does anyone have any advice on what works without medication. If so, how long did it take for the anxiety to go away?
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 10:03pm
I'm not going to say sorry, because I believe that is very cliche. I say this because I work on an Oncology Floor and saying your sorry just doesn't seem appropriate. Anyway, the first thing you need to do to help the entire situation is to take care of yourself. I have seen way too many couples struggle because one spouse was sick and the other went down hill with stress and anxiety. I hear from the ones who are sick, that their spouses should leave the beside, not permanetly of course. Go home and sleep at home if he is in the hospital and on an uphill swing for the time. Ask for help at home with cooking, cleaning, etc. Maybe you have heard this all before, sorry if this is an annoying repeat. From personal experience with anxiety and depression, I found when I can stay on a regular exercise routine I usually fell better. I have tried yoga, paliates, working out in the gym at the hospital and walking. For me I feel the best when I am actively working out, I am a little high strung and find sitting to do yoga more stressful. Another idea is to try accupunture to relieve some of the stress you are carrying. Maybe find an herbalist who might be able to help you. I don't know if you live somewhere where they are easy or hard to find, but living in the midwest, I started at my local healthfood store. I hope something from my rambling helped. Good luck to you and your husband.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 1:08am
Hello There-kangels, and Welcome to our warm & caring community, <3
I was glad to hear that your dh is cancer free, my prayers are with you both.
Can I ask what types of meds you have tried so far? Maybe the doc just hasn't found a good match for you yet? I have had bad reactions to meds too, which made me apprehensive to try more, so I waited almost 2 years before trying another one, I know now that I shouldn't have waited so long to seek further help. I am currently trying out Zoloft.
I hope someone on the board can also give you some other suggestions that does not involve meds.
I hope you will continue to post,I look forward to hearing more about you and your dh.
I can't even imagine what a difficult time this is for you,
so please remember to Take Care of You!
hugs, shasta
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 9:28am

Hello! It's a pleasure to have you here. You are NOT alone. It is difficult to accept an anxiety diagnosis @ first. It does seem pretty far fetched that anxiety can cause such devastating symptoms. It will come in time.

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 9:28am

Hi Shasta,

Thanks for your concern, I have tried lexapro,ativan,klopin and just this week Wellburtin. The lexapro,ativan and klopin make me so drowsy and dopey I could not function. The Wellburtin made me even more jittery and nasueated. The doctor has given me Effexor to try next, my husband doesn't want me to take it. I am not quite sure I want to either, I don't want to feel worse. How many different meds did you try before the Zoloft? Is the Zoloft helping? I am trying to beat this by exercising and doing breathing excerises. It is helping a little. Are you feeling normal since the zoloft?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 9:42am

Flwrgypsy,

Thanks for the kind words. How are you? If you are better, how long did it take without the meds? My doctor states takes awhile,since the stress has been there for awhile. I have been doing arobics for a week, I have notices a little improvement for doing that. I am just tired of feeling bad. My husband is doing much better, not sure sure why I can't seem to beat this. Nice to know, there is support for this website.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 10:26am

Hi there,


I also started having panic attacks in April with no history of it before. I was hit with a bunch of tramatic events in a short time.


I am on lexapro and klonopin.

Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 12:35pm

I am currently seeing an accupuncturist. They can treat a lot of conditions. Unfortunately for me it has done away with my lower back pain (amazing) but has not helped with the anxiety. The accupunturist just recently had me start taking a dietary supplement for the anxiety and I have not been at it long enough to know if it is working. I think if you are having such a hard time with meds that trying some of the alternatives would be worth it. Even if they don't work you will know that you have examined all of your options.

Alison