Anxiety

Does anyone else suffer from physical chronic anxiety?

I have always had anxiety, but I have always been able to suppress it. Recently, it has literally taken over my whole life. I do not feel like myself and I dont know what to do....

My doctor thinks i should consider medication - a low does. I've never taken any medication in my life so I am petrified. What if I have side effects, what if it makes me feel worse that I already do?

I need to do something to cope with this - Its affecting my work, my kids, my husband...everything.

I guess I am just looking for someone else that can relate and what did you do? Therapy? Medication? Did you eventually get back to your normal self?

Please feel free to FM if more comfortable. Thank you :)

Anxiety

I hear you. I have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember - since childhood, really, I just never knew what this "feeling" was. With the correct doctors and treatment plan I've been diagnosed correctly.

Anxiety is a blanket term for some type of fearful reaction to a situation, trauma, person, etc. There's MANY layers and causes and diagnoses that can stem from anxiety.

I highly recommend seeking therapy and a psychiatrist for medication. Primary doctors are NOT as well-versed in psych meds and typically have a standard protocol of meds they try with everyone (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Effexor, etc) and you can spend a lot of time trying meds that may not work or have nasty side effects.

You need therapy to get to the root of the anxiety and find tools to handle it. You need a psych who will make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

I don't know what a normal self is so can't help ya LOL

Re: Anxiety

I can totally relate to this. I have anxiety, and I feel it every day. However, I was put on Opipramol and that has helped me so much. I also did therapy.

A PP said it best— use a psychiatrist and therapy. I made the mistake of going to my GP and requesting a medication that worked for me in the past (Effexor). That drug was a total nightmare and I wound up in the hospital for it. Then when I came off of it, the doctors in the hospital said I can get off of it in one week. I did that and wound up with horrible withdrawal symptoms for over a year. It turns out I should have done it over the span of a few months. There are actually FB groups devoted to people who had a similar reaction like I had. I believe there are even a few class action suits in the works.

I was also prescribed Xanax for extreme situation, and I had no problems with that.

My point being is that everyone reacts differently to different medications (Effexor might work for you). It might take a few before you get the right one. One important question is to ask how it is when you decide to stop taking it and get a plan of how they intend on you coming off the medication.

I’ve been very happy with Opipramol. It’s a tricyclclic anti-depressant (TCA). The others are SSRIs and SNRIs. I would stay away from the SNRIs. After my experience, I will never take them again.

I also read somewhere that if someone in your family uses medication like this, then it will work for you. I’m not a doctor; this is only my experience.

Hugs and good luck.

Anxiety

You need to take medication and go to therapy. I have had anxiety attacks almost my whole life ( they started at 8 years old) Dont be scared of medication, it's a life saver. Hang in there.

Anxiety

I've had horrible anxiety and panic attacks my whole. I finally started taking Zoloft 4 years ago and going to therapy. It was the best thing I ever did. I feel SOOOO much better.

Anxiety

Yes, I was afraid of taking med for a long time. But I am glad I finally decided that I couldn’t live in a constant state of anxiety anymore. Yes I do have some side effects but feeling better is worth it. I’d recommend finding a talk therapist and a psychiatrist to help prescribe medication. They won’t just prescribe you medication either, they will evaluate you to see what you need. But just know that you don’t have to feel like you do, there is help available.

Re: Anxiety

thank you everyone for all the replies...its comforting to know I am not alone.

Can anyone recommend a talk therapist and psychiatrist on the island?

Re: Anxiety

I have chronic anxiety. Stopping coffee and chocolate helps (I was never a coffee drinker but I did stop chocolate and felt better, not 100% but better).

Those are just some right now suggestions.

I try to remember something a friend always used to say to me. "Is this something you'd even think about in 10 years? 5? No? Then let it go."

Anxiety

I have suffered with terrible anxiety for pretty much my entire life, but it started to get worse in adulthood- my early 20s. I am now 36 and have been in therapy and on & off meds since 2004. I was able to be med free for a period of 5 years, but then had to go back. I am currently on Zoloft. The side effects sucked- nausea, dizziness, extreme exhaustion...but after 2 weeks they went away and I mentally began to feel better. I see a therapist every other week, and my psychiatrist once every 3 months for meds. Initially I saw him once a month while I was adjusting to the meds.
You are most definitely not alone. Anxiety can be terrible and debilitating, but there is help out there. My therapist is in Bayside, which may be far for you, but my psychiatrist is in Glen Cove and he takes most insurance. Let me know if you want his info.