I dont know what tapping its... ? unless its like tapping your foot?

What kind of med? I have IBS and anxiety too...

I have used tapping in the past, as does my sister. She still uses it on a daily basis. I only use it if I feel I'm starting to feel anxious--which fortunately is almost never now. I had severe anxiety in my 20s, experiencing panic attacks and hyperventilation episodes. Back then I learned everything I could about it, and that helped me overcome anxiety in a few months time.

Then I started experiencing anxiety and panic attacks again this past summer, I think mostly because I had been dealing with mysterious health problems and just couldn't get an accurate diagnosis. I started seeing a behavioral therapist, reached out to loved-ones, started doing daily guided meditation for relaxation and eventually decided to return to the religion I was raised in. I'm happy to say I no longer need to tap, primarily because I'm no longer afraid of anxiety or panic (after all, as bad as an episode can be, such episodes are self-limiting and on average resolve within 20 minutes even if one does nothing to try to stop them. It also helped that I learned tapping is effective and I now know that I can always turn to that if I ever need to :).

I have great empathy for people who deal with anxiety, and I know that what works for me may not work for every person.

Anxiety tapping I couldn't do. I have serious issues with being poked, I don't even like poking myself. I've heard it works great for some, and not for others. Best thing to do is try it.
I have had on and off severe anxiety for about a good 10 years. Before I really understood what it really was, and how I got it, I would zone infront of the TV. Mind OFF. That's just a short quick fix. I'm kinda in the Myownwoman zone. Odd hard to figure out Mental and physical problems. (shoulder and brain surgery) plus husband divorcing me now. HIGH Stress anxiety were my top best buds for about 3-1/2 years. I to now have a behavioral therapist. I did some guided relaxation stuff, God is with me always, I needed more. I'm a professional overthinker, so I needed to work on that too. Journaling!! First thing my therapist told me to do. All programs and health advice I've found on Anxiety, have first put in journaling as a must do. so I journal, I use color therapy, puzzles, At one point I put up positive quotes all around the house. I'm finding what is most helpful though, is finding the root of the anxiety and curing that. Ugh, mouthful I know. That is a long term goal. Basically you need to find what works best for you, in getting your mind completely off anything other than what you are doing at the present time. "stay in the now" quote. Get absorbed. Breathing, music, art, sit, close you eyes and just slowly start to think about one part of your body. say head. think how it feels. (nothing can be a feel). headache, scratchy, bump from hitting it on the car, hair smells good, stuff like that. Then slowly work your way to another part. You can do this with objects too. close your eyes, pick them up and feel them. think about how each one feels. Also big help. stop self negative talk. (if you do that) That was a big one for me. I had/have Xanax for those panic attack times. Haven't taken one in over a month. Anxiety, to me, can be just as paralyzing as depression can be. It is not fun and so hard to get a hold of. It's good your reaching out. that helps too. Hang in there. Hugs

The key with anxiety is remembering it is natural and to use it to help you get back in balance.
Tapping is good, staying hydrated is important, and finding your calm in the moment is using what works for you then.
As you change your response, you will notice change in other's response and it will help you to see what works.
Best wishes.
Welcome to the group!

Thank you everybody for your posts and well wishes. Star87 the med I am taking is Nortriptyline 25mg, The Dr suggested I probably needed 50mg but that I need to do an EKG first to make sure I can stand the medication. I haven't raised the dosage yet, even though I know I need it. For now the medication is working well and I also know that if I up the meds it would help much more, but the unknown about the EKG and all the tests gives me anxiety so I haven't done it! isn't that funny?

No it’s not all that funny. Quite normal actually. I still get anxiety when I have regular checkups. More so than when I have my brain MRI checkups. Best thing is to just dive in, and find out that it isn’t as bad as you thought it would be. 9 out 10 anyway. Not to scare you. It’s always better to find things out sooner rather than later. My not wanting to wait, on something, lead to finding a tumor 1mm from my optic nerve. If I had waited, I would have become blind in one eye. Unknown is definitely scary. Knowing is the power to overcome it.
Best wishes to you.

And yes, staying hydrated is very important! My new found buddy. I have my phone go off every 3hrs to remind me to drink water. My family makes fun at times, but it’s worth it.