New with some questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2002
New with some questions
3
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 12:52pm

Oh where to begin! I have been dealing with mild anxiety/depression for a little over a year. No drugs, just been trying to deal with it on my own. (Although I did see a therapist for a bit last year, what a waste of time and money!). Last week, I got my first panic attack. Wow. Freaked me out like nothing else. Luckily, it wasn't as severe as some the I read about. I just get an incredibly dizzy feeling and my face feels all tingly. Then I feel lightheaded and worried for hours. But I can function. I went to the walk in clinic after work last Thursday with DH (who has been SO GREAT, by the way)! The doctor there took my blood and saw nothing out of the ordinary except for an elevated white count, which he says could be caused from stress. Oh, I made sure to say NOTHING about stress or anxiety when I went in, I didn't want him to hand me some drugs and send me merrily on my way! He gave me some lorazepam to take on an as needed basis. They seem to work okay but I feel a bit spacey when I take them. I am also worried about what is going to happen when they are gone (I only got 21 of them). I made an appointment with my regular doctor for tomorrow and I am not sure what to tell her without sounding loony. I want some sort of test done to show me there is nothing physically wrong with me. I get headaches on the right side of my head all the time and when I saw my doctor for them a couple of weeks ago, he told me they were tension headaches. I am not convinced. I want an MRI or something done to put my mind at ease. Does that sound nuts? Half of my anxiety is caused by thoughts of what is wrong with me so I feel that if it proven to me there is nothing physically wrong, then I can begin to "heal" myself from the anxiety. Also, I have vetoed the drug route until now. I am contemplating trying anti-anxiety medication. I was wondering if anyone has tips pr advice on that. I would like something that is mild, with low to no sexual side effects, and I need something that would be safe during pregnancy (I recently had an ectopic pg and will start trying again in a few months).

Thank you for any help. I am so glad to find there are other women dealing with this issue, I feel really alone right now. If I think of any more questions, I will post them.

Jessica

siggy by Cheryl

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 1:49pm
Jessica~
Welcome to the board. You will find here that you most definitely are not alone. Very early in my treatment my psychiatrist ordered an MRI for me. Nothing seriously wrong with me except for the low serotonin (sp) levels. If it will put your mind at ease you should push for as many tests as you can get. I personally don't see any problem in having medical testing done to ease one's mind. It can get out of hand and I think you should discuss it thoroughly with your doctor and DH so as to keep it under the necessary category. Wanting to stay away from meds is normal. Who wants to be addicted to meds? Not me. I was for many years and am now happy to report that I'm almost done weaning off. I was prescribed a highly addictive med though. Xanax, to my knowledge, is not doled out as liberally as it once was. If you want something mild the best thing is probably a low dose antidepressant. People hear that word and sometimes get defensive about not being depressed but the mild, low-dose ones are now used more often to treat anxiety. Celexa and Lexapro are two that work very well for most people. The important thing is to be honest with your doctor. Telling your doctor that you are under stress or anxiety does not necessarily mean they will rule out all things medical. It's very important that your doctors know everything that's going on with you. You wouldn't hide the fact that you smoke from a doc. You shouldn't hide anxiety either. If you don't like what one doctor says then get a second opinion. You have that right. Anxiety does not carry the stigma it once did. Many of us suffer from it and we shouldn't have to suffer in silence. Sometimes people need help. Don't be afraid to ask for it. I hope you like the board and hope that any of this helped at all.
Hugs
Robin
Mommy to Lukas Lee
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 4:44pm

Hello, Jessica! It's nice to see you on the board;) I hope by reading the posts here, you won't feel so alone.


I am sorry to hear that you didn't have the best experience with therapy. That is not always the case. One size therapist does not fit all. Many of us have been helped to identify the patterns of behavior that have led to our anxiety & ways to change & cope better.


As for meds, there are lots of them out there. Some of the antidepressants are specifically approved for anxiety/panic disorders. They affect us all differently. Recent studies have shown that the first antidepressant is rarely the one to do the trick so to speak. Your dr. will know your medical history the best & choose a med that's suitable. Please discuss your pregnancy concerns with the dr. That is very important. You must be honest & upfront with the dr. to get the best possible care. It is uncomfortable discussing these matters, but keep in mind that professionals hear these things everyday. They are specifically trained to deal with them. This is not a flaw in your character. This is a flaw in your chemistry.


As for tests, anxiety can be diagnosed simply by ruling out very common & treatable medical conditions that mimic anxiety symptoms. Part of our anxiety is wanting to have every base covered. There will come a time, that you must accept your diagnosis & move on. That is very hard for us. We still worry that maybe the dr. forgot a test or something else is wrong & the dr. missed it. We'll be here to lend you an ear.


If you choose to work through the anxiety without meds/therapy, we will be glad to support you. It can be done. Please check out our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. I use the belly breathing & positive affirmations & meditate daily. For now, I am doing well. But in the past I required meds. Check out our chats. We care about you & want you to feel better:) Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan




 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 4:55pm

Hello Jessica & welcome!

Sheri Ann