newbie with anxiety

Avatar for lam629
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2007
newbie with anxiety
5
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 4:23pm

I just recently found these boards, they are such a huge support.
I had panic attacks for the first time in Nov 05 was on zoloft for 8 months did great, went off meds with doctor's ok. I had been doing well until about Jan this year, when I started having trouble sleeping and then starting thinking that I'm sick or have something seriously wrong with me. So started the worrying. I have been to a few doctors that haven't found anything wrong with me. I am slowly realizing that I am relasping into my anxiety disorder. The neurologist I went to for my headahes is testing me for a zillion things. I had a ct scan of my head which was normal, now i have to go for an mri. She sent me for a sleep study, the doctor there said that I don't get into a deep sleep and that I woke up 36 times. But everything was physically fine and that I should see someone to manage my axiety and insomnia.
Now i am having so much anxiety and physical compaints of anxiety such as headaches, shakiness, dizziness, feeling out of sorts and off balance, shortness of breath, feeling like i can't swallow, backache, jaw pain from clenching, sensitive to bright lights and noise. Plus I am having trouble going out. I can make it to work and get through the day. But, I feel like I have to come right home after work, If I try to go out I have such bad anxiety and I actually start crying as I'm driving and just end up going right home.
ALso, have major anxiety going shopping or really anywhere that is not home or work.

I find that I am avoiding loud and crowded places because they make me feel worse. My anxiety is just a general sense of ickiness, restlessness, and uncomfortableness.
Until this all happened to me I thought panic attacks were something that happens, then you feel perfectly fine after. With me I always have a low to moderate level of anxiety that worsens into panic attacks at any time.

So what am I going to do?
I have started back on Xanax. I only take 1/2 of a 0.25mg tablet. I started taking 3 a day yesterday. I do feel a little better today.
I have an appointment tomorrow with psychiatrist- will probably go back on SSRI
Left a message for my therapist to make an appoinment
And I will finish all the testing from the neurologist - just because at least I won't worry anymore that there is something neurologically wrong with me.

I am just so annoyed/upset that this is happening to me again, but I now realize that this is a lifelong illness. Hopefully next time I will reconize this before it gets so bad.

Does anyone have any other advise for time when you are in "anxiety crisis" for lack of a better term

Thanks



 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:38pm
i too recently had a relapse:(
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 6:37pm

Hi & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2006
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 7:30pm

It sounds like you're really developing a great plan of attack for your anxiety as it stands now. I think that you'll probably get lots of good advice from your therapist and that the medication will probably provide you with the relief that you are seeking. I think that it's good that you are listening to your body and that you are acknowledging the signs that you just need some help getting through this super stressful time.

Take care,
El




Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 8:29pm

welcome.gif


Hi! It's nice to see you posting. Let me say how great it was to see you in chat;)


You are NOT alone. Other folks have reported intense periods of anxiety with tons of symptoms. I had an episode much like you have described. I was afraid to eat for fear of choking. Afraid to sleep for fear of dying. Afraid to do anything, limiting what I considered a functioning life. With xanax & luvox, I was able to get some relief after about a month. However, I couldn't wait that long, so was hospitalized for a *panic state.* This isn't meant to scare you. I was scared & could NOT see myself ever recovering. As you can see, it does get better:)


Learning to destress through meditation & belly breathing helped alot. I saw a

 

 


 



Avatar for lam629
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2007
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 6:18pm

thanks for the support...went to the psychiatrist today, as soon as i sat down in his office i instantly felt better than i have in a couple of weeks. he's really great, listened to me and gave me options about meds.

basically, i can just take a higher dose of xanax, go to therapy and slowly wean off the xanax as i start to feel better or i can start an ssri, continue to take the tiny dose of xanax and wean off the tiny dose of xanax once the zoloft kicks in.

i decided i will start the zoloft, i went on it before and i had success with it. i'm a nurse, and if someone came to me for advice with this situation, i would advise them to take te medicine for now. sometimes it is hard to see things clearly for youself.