I have trouble with anxiety myself so I feel your pain.

To deal with my anxiety, I've prepared what I call my "soothing kit." That is a collection of things I've pulled together and keep in one place that make me feel better in case of anxiety emergencies. These are things that appeal to the 5 senses-- e.g. Pictures that calm me (like of nature or of people I love), soft things like blankets or stuffed animals I like to hold, potpourri or other things that smell really good (I have a bottle of my favorite hand lotion in there); music to soothe me; or things that make me happy-seashells, trinkets, river rocks, whatever you find calming....and I keep all of these things in this really pretty box I got at a craft store (or whatever container you like).

So when I am feeling calm I prepare all of these things ahead of time for those bad anxious "emergencies." I have my emergency stress soothing kit ready to go. It works pretty well.

Also--One other thing that helps me is to do guided meditation (using some apps on my iPhone). I use one called "Simply Being" (get it at Apple's app store) that has nature sounds in the background while the narrator guides you through timed meditation (5 min, 10, 15, or 20). I like the ocean wave sounds because i picture writing each of my anxieties in the sand and imagining each wave "washing" them away. Sounds cliche and corny--but it works for me. :) They also have meditation apps out specifically for anxiety too (self-hypnosis kinds) if that's better for you.

In any case, I find doing daily meditation very helpful in managing my anxiety. Not always easy when things get really bad, I know -but it's just another tool that helps to keep me steady.

I hope these suggestions are helpful. Good luck - you came to the right place for support. Lots of nice folks out there in the same boat so hang in there!! :))

music helps me.

You should try exercise. It always helps me feel better.

i watch funny youtube videos, and if i'm under a lot of stress, i'll buy myself a treat, which is usually sushi, and watch something funny or just a favorite movie

i also like to light a candle, one that i really like the smell of, and sit it by wherever i am, i really want to try scented oils because i feel like smells really help me calm down

i also hum and whistle or sing if i start feeling like an anxiety attack is coming on, or click pens - which annoys more than its worth unless i'm at home lol!

I do not take anti-depressants because of their side effects and I never thought I was depressed. I had more anxiety, and esp from interferon. So I tried everything and nothing worked in the anti-depressant arena.

So I went online and looked up anti-anxiety medication and made an appointment for a psychiatrist and showed him the drug buspirone that I had found online. It is an old drug and is generic and very cheap. He agreed and gave me a low dose (I found out later that it was less than a therapeutic does) but it worked for me. My phobias went away. I actually had gotten some phobias from interferon. My phobias were from things like opening the mail and receiving bad news because I had gotten some bad news from an organization. So my phobias went away or were very limited.

Anyway, the buspirone was moved up to 7.5 mg 4 times a day. I like it and the doctors are not opposed to it because it is not addictive like Xanax or Valium. Anyway, I was recently told by a doctor that buspirone rarely works for people and so few doctors use it. I went to the doctor with the name and he gave it to me. I like it and it works for me. So, I take it along with .5 mg of Klonopam 3 times a day. So that is my story.

Try some yoga postions. Here is a link to help you out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/06/6-yoga-poses-for-depressi_n_890836.html#s303647&title=Child_Pose

Hope this helps. Good Luck

I applaud your doctor for being aware of what you're already on. I'm happy for you too.

My anxiety went away when I began singing karaoke, of all things. There are some free online karaoke websites if you sing at all. Of course, journaling is somewhat helpful but not the same as singing, letting yourself cry, beating up a pillow or getting in some exercise. Anything you can do to decompress will be helpful. You do have to decompress to keep from exploding, right? I agree with the laughter too. Sometimes a funny movie or one that is very touching to let you cry is also good. Sometimes I think a punching bag is in order. Helps blow off some steam for sure. You know what they say about caffeine too. If you're having more than one cup of anything with caffeine each day, you should lower the intake.

Sorry you've had such anxiety. I hope you find a great, productive outlet for it. A psychologist friend even suggests a piece of hose and a phone book, lol. He said sometimes you don't have any idea of how much you have bottled up until you start taking it out on a phone book.

I keep doing these PS's lately. Have I turned into Colombo? Oh, just one more thing..... Back when I had anxiety, I had quite the episode which caused me to black out and break my ankle in the fall. So, please promise that you will try one of these remedies so that you don't keep letting the pressure build.

Ok now I realize some of you are going to think I am off with the fairys but this has helped me
I started to use these drops when I would travel I hate flying it scares me,and I get very anxious well I was told about "rescue remedy" it is a bach flower remedy(look it up) google it...I am sure you must be able to get it in US.... I always have a small bottle of it in my bag so if I am out and am getting too anxious and jitterry I have a few drop[s under my tongue and it really does help, it has been a huge help for me, and drug free got to be a good thing....
Sorry you are feeling yuk Lynne
I hope it passes for you

Way back when I was diagnosed I had some major anxiety. Something that is readily available around here is called Valerian. It comes in an herbal tea form, and is generally relaxing so if I am worried about something, it helps me sleep.
My brother sent me a copy of 'Anxiety for Dummies', but I can't say that it did anything for me!

Hi Lynne,
I too can relate to the anxiety struggles. I had about a year off and on with the wierd freefloating sort of anxiety and also the anxiety attacks that made it feel like my throat was constricting. It stinks and it didn't make sense for me because I didn't think I was anxious and it would happen sort of out of the blue sometimes but more often if I was over tired.
Benadryl is a common answer from docs. It's cheaper and easier on the body to go with Dyphenhydramine though(sleep aid)- ask your doc. I also think that some anti-anxiety meds can be really hard on people because they can be addictive and create all sorts of other problems. When I finally went to see the psyc doc that works with my neuro he prescribed Lamotrigine and things really turned a corner for me - (anxiety levels more normal and much less crying jags)
Hang in there Lynne, I empathize with how tough it is to endure the panic attacks. I got to thinking for me that it has a bit to do with MS stuff and maybe leisons just make it too hard to process stimulation and information and filter all the "noises" trying to keep anxiety at bay. Remember to breathe and that oxygen in the brain helps to change the fight or flight feeling. The Rescue Remedy is great too and Bach Flower Essences makes a great one - can be expensive though.
You do have a lot of things to be worried about, responsibilities and life is stressful all by itself without other chronic illness junk. Sometimes a hug works wonders it even changes our brain chemistry. When I was going through this and even now sometimes I would gently hug myself or my dogs and rock a little to help self-soothe and get through the anxiety. also I'd do this: - Hands on my lap...Deep cleansing breath...both feet flat on the floor....gentle breath focus on exhale....let the emotion energy drain down toward the floor and out of my body....like waves of energy washing away with every breath.....sometimes I'd close my eyelids with the exhale and rock gently letting my shoulders fall with the relaxation.....and just sit with it and practice when I didn't feel anxious too. I had a CD of guided imagery to help learn this it helped a lot.
Hang in there Lynne, this too will pass and I'm sending love and light to your heart from my heart.

I'm on baclofin gabapentin a\nd tylenal 3 for extremem pain and dLately I have been putting my husbansd thru H E double hockey sticks.My pychiatrist is new and she took me off anti depresants cause they can cause repid cycling in Bi-polor didorder. I have been having lots of highs lately. It's interesting tha 13 percent of MS people have bi-polor disorder.I'm still on zeldox which helps its an anti pyschotic I am also on Fampyra for three weeks now and it helped with my moving and walking somewhat. I just hope its covered my my insurance or it s 525$ per mo. I am still waiting to hear about that. I love this site its really helped me.