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...
Hey everyone! So this is always a hot topic and I’m totally on the fence. Here is the background...
Developed panic disorder about 20 years ago. I’m 40 years old. Male. Took Effexor for 8 years, symptoms became manageable and eventually came off of it no problem. A few years later, anxiety/ panic relapse, tried to get back on Effexor and could NOT handle the side effects. I tried 3 or 4 different times and 3 or 4 different ssri/snri meds and it was a disaster and felt completely hopeless. Well I had some Xanax for emergencies and I ended up really focusing on work and being more active etc... and over a year or so I kind of got back to feeling normal. Now I will say I did (and kind of expect I will always have) occasional panic attacks and visits with my anxious states but generally I could manage. This lasted several years. Cut to about a year ago and I got hit with panic attacks like a brick to the face... it was bad. I spent months in a extremely hypersensitive anxious state. Started my routine doctors visit then psychiatrist and even counseling. Btw - I dropped the counseling, it’s just not something I respond to. So about 5-6 months ago it was bad enough that I decided to try Pristiq at the psychiatrists recommendation. I was so hesitant but was at my wits end. I actually was able to tolerate it! I was kind of shocked. Ok then I give it 3 solid months. Not much of a change. Still anxious still panicking etc. Psychiatrist bumps me up from 50mg to 100mg. Again I reluctantly try it. This time I give it an additional 2 months. Well, I’ve been feeling quite a bit better. Let me explain. I still have anxiety/panic but not as severe not as frequent and not as long lasting. Also bare in mind this is only for about 4-6 weeks now after 6 months on this med. So those things are pretty cool. In regards to anxiety, it’s a bit better. My complaint is that while I don’t exactly feel “high” or “cracked out” from Pristiq, I do feel just a bit “medicated”. I described it as not “buzzed” but just feel slightly...not natural. Like you might feel after you had coffee in the morning and haven’t ate all day. If that makes sense. I also must admit my sex drive is almost non existent. And everything that most guys experience on antidepressants is true for me let’s just leave it at that. It’s a little concerning... I don’t like taking drugs. I equally or more so do not like having debilitating panic. I’ve done 23 and me and waiting on results. I’m seriously considering naturopathic approach and more lifestyle changes particularly with my diet. I would clearly be looking at weaning off this med slowly and that may take a while but I’m then concerned about having the same struggles I did pre Pristiq.
Im wondering your thoughts. I’m hoping I don’t get a bunch of anti meds speech because I get it but let’s be honest some people are helped tremendously by these meds. What works for you may not work for someone else. I understand. I’m hoping this support group can steer me in the right direction or maybe share some of your similar experiences . Thanks all.
B
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
I'm a VERY firm belie er in natural everything.
I know 3 people that are highly depressive and high anxiety personalities.
What they did was Change their diets. They researched the foods that are GOOD for Anxiety and for Depression. They also looked up the foods that are bad or allow for more Anxiety and Depression.
Not like your eating oatmeal all day, or trying to lose weight.
All three said it changed their lives and they feel so called, Normal.
But....like anything, most people don't stay on diets or take them serious.
Anyway, I wish you luck and hope you find what's good for you.
Panic attacks, however, require a toolkit devised with writing down the events to find a pattern. When I did this, I was able to work with the tiny marker that preceded the majority of panic attacks, and this was how I was able to move through them.
It does NOT stop them, it gives me the strength to move through them in the moment.
Here's to your success, and best wishes!