Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hi All,
I have suffered from anxiety and panic disorder for as long as I can remember. I have been on many meds in my 50 years, but I always try and go off for awhile, thinking "I'm feeling so much better so I should be able to do this without meds." I tapered off of Cymbalta (very slowly) and finished in June. For me, every time I do this, I end up where I am right now. I know some people can figure out how to do this without meds, I am apparently not one of them. I have tried the DARE method, meditation, clean eating, exercise (I regularly exercise 4-5 x/week), herbals, etc. etc. My anxiety gets so bad that I can't eat, I barely sleep and I have to FORCE myself to make it to work- and I HAVE to work- I have 3 kids in college and I am their only parent, their father (my ex) died 4 years ago.
A few weeks ago I had some health issues (turned out to be nothing serious), but they were a trigger to bring my anxiety and panic back. Once I found out I was "ok', I did fine for a day or so, but my anxiety and the chemicals involved are back and don't want to go away. I use Xanax daily right now (just for a few weeks so far) and my doc put me back on Cymbalta- after all that hard work! I only take .75mg-1mg xanax to manage my symptoms while the Cymbalta kicks in, but it has been 8 days on Cymbalta and I was feeling good for a few days then last night and today- WHAM! High anxiety. I am so disappointed that I have to be back on meds, that they aren't working quickly, that I am taking Xanax every day (I have done this before though and I won't let myself get addicted, and I know how to taper). :( My prescription for Xanax is so low- .25mg that I need to take about 3/day to tame the anxiety beast, but I am worried I am going to run out and my doctor won't refill. I usually make 60 pills last like 1 1/2 years.... I am worried the Cymbalta won't work this time. I am worried about everything (yes this is my anxiety ruminating).
I guess my question is, since I said I have a question, am I being too impatient? Any tips on how to "survive" and not get too down during this anti anxiety med period where it's not quite working yet?
I know you all get it and I appreciate you all and what you go through. I hope to be here for all of you too.
Elaine
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Hey all, i know its been quite awhile since i posted on here. Its been a summer all right. Its been something else........... You know how they say not to open the can of worms? Well a few months ago i decided to find out what my due date would have been for my first baby, the one conceived by r***. My baby would have been due on March 4th of 2006. They would be 20 years old. I was R**** on June...
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My day...today...misplaced my debit card...didn't realize it until I got to the register after shopping to a full cart. Used a different debit card and pulled apart everything looking for missing debit card before I left parking lot. Got home, dropped keys. So now I have a missing debit card, missing keys. A full cartload to unload and put away. I got everything put away.Dumped purse for a...
I started psychotherapy in 1972 when the U.S. was recovering from the 60's crisis of prescription drug addiction. I was often prescribed drugs during my psychotherapy, but the goal was always to stop using them as quickly as possible. By the 90's when Med Therapy came into vogue, my psychotherapy was far enough along that there wasn't much need for me to learn the ins and outs of the trend. Color me clueless on the Med Therapy end of your question. Am I still living in the same country?
On the question of managing my anxiety, etc., without medication, it isn't easy or instant. I work my anxiety management tools daily during my stable phases and as often as needed during my unstable phases. Skipping my therapy regimen can have harsh side effects.
Whichever way you tackle The Beast, it is an on-going juggling act that is easy to lose patience with. Peer support helps me allot. Hope it helps you, too.
Welcome aboard.
There is no shame in having to take meds. If they help you, then why not take them. Anxiety disorder is a tough thing to manage.... so whatever helps you, so be it. Best wishes.