what to do

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-08-2002
what to do
5
Mon, 11-28-2005 - 8:19pm

Hello,

about a month ago, i went to my doctor for anxiety and she gave me atavin to take as needed. I took it and it seemed to help. she wanted to see me for a follow up so last week i went to see her, and she prescribed me prozac for depresion with anxiety symptoms. she said i could take the atavin at night to get a good nights sleep. i just wonder what techniques you all use when your anxiety kicks in? mine comes out of no where, and it scares the crap out of me to be honest. my heart races, and i feel so choked up. of course, i dont want to take the atavin all the time because i heard you can become dependent. i have also read that one of the side effects of prozac is anxiety. i have only been taking it since wednesday. i am taking 10 milligrams once a day for 7 days and then this coming wednesday i am supposed to bump it up to 20 milligrams once a day.

it just sucks to have anxiety. i dont know what is causing it. back in january of this year, my husband of 7 years divorced me (became final in april) and of course, i had to sell my house, adopt out 3 of my cats, and move into an apartment. but, i also am in a wonderful wonderful relationship with my boyfriend so i dont understand. my doctor says sometimes things can just snowball. how do your significant others get thru this hard time? i know for him he said its hard to watch me because he cant do anything to help me and he wishes he could.

thank you,
Kim

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Mon, 11-28-2005 - 8:41pm

Hi Kim :)

I don't know anything about Atavin. However I think being careful is smart. In the beginning while waiting for the Prozac to start doing it's thing, drugs like Atavin can be a resourceful back-up...but only when you absolutely need it.

I suffer anxiety and panic attacks too and yes, they are so scary. I don't know why we all get hit with them. I had my first panic attack last May. I thought I was having a heart attack and called 911. A doctor asked me if I might be anxious or stressed and it was the furthest thing from my mind. My life is so awsome. I had recently been married to such a wonderful man. We built a new home, I no longer have to work as I get to stay home with my three kids. All this after years of being a single parent, struggling to make ends meet, working full time for low pay, having an unreliable vehicle, almost losing our home and becoming homeless, etc. Back when I was struggling so bad I never had a panic attack. So why am I getting them now when things are so good?

Well, I have no clue. It's mysterious that way, isn't it? Maybe someone else might have an idea about that cuz I sure would like to know too. My DH is so supportive but I can tell that sometimes it hurts him and worries him when I go through these things. And sometimes he even gets a little frustrated but he never gets angry with me. He tries so hard to understand. Sometimes he'll take over with household chores and the kids while I work through my panic attack. Sometimes he'll just rub my back for me to help relax me. Those simple things mean the world to me and help more than he realizes. That's all your DH needs to do is just love you and support you. He shouldn't have to worry about doing anything else other than loving you.

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-08-2002
Mon, 11-28-2005 - 8:49pm
Wow. it does make sense to me. When I was going thru my divorce i never felt like this either. I never had anxiety. As a matter of face, I even go to counseling, and have been since January. I have been feeling like this since August which makes no sense. It was just out of the blue one day when I got like that, and I tried to control it on my own so hard. It just sneaks up and grabs you.
And to top it off, I came home sick today with the flu i think. I have a headache and have been throwing up. Luckily, my parents are coming over to fill my prescription up for my headaches. I told them not to because its 40 miles away (like my boyfriend too ) and i told them i would be ok, but they insisted.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 11-28-2005 - 10:54pm

Hi, Kim! Welcome to our caring community. You are NOT alone. Alot of research indicates that anxiety is caused by a chemical imbalance. The addition of antidepressants, such as prozac has been proven to help you get back into balance. All meds are just tools for anxiety. They don't take it away entirely. I think others on the board would agree that most of us have come through some very hard times with deaths, losses of jobs, financial problems, divorces, illnesses, etc. & thought we were coping very well. Then, much like you have described we were blindsided by anxiety.


I use the belly breathing, relaxation & positive thinking to get me through panic attacks. I also meditate each day. Check out our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. Maybe you'll find a new method that will assist you when the anxiety strikes. Others will be glad to share their thoughts through posts or in chats. Watch the board for tomorrow evening's chat posting. Everyone will save you a seat!


Finding support among family & friends can be hard. It's difficult for them to understand an illness that we don't totally understand ourselves. Lean on our board to give you some help. We care & want you to feel better. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Tue, 11-29-2005 - 12:34pm

I think that I have figured some of my issues out. Seems I thrive on conflict, problems, etc. Seems working towards some kind of a solution distracts me. It's when things are good that I am the most anxious usually. Maybe there is nothing concrete to concentrate on resolving. Sounds kind of strange, but sometimes I feel like that is what causes some of my anxiety.

Sorry, not much help, just my experience.

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-08-2002
Tue, 11-29-2005 - 12:45pm

Alison,
That actually does make sense. Last night and he has also said it many times, he thinks i am mentally rushing things with my boyfriend, which to be honest i dont feel that i am. i dont feel that in my gut or heart. If i felt that, i would take a step back and evaluate things. He told me not to live in fear of the relationship and maybe that part did make some sense. I fear that he wont put up with me and this anxiety and depression, that he wont be able to handle it. hell, my ex-husband said he would never leave me or divorce me, and sure enough after 7 years he couldnt take it and did it. but, i also know that i cant let one person from my past bring me down and take it out on the next person, which i dont.

Kim