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Anxiety with fibromyalgia

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Posted 6/30/2011 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, not sure if I'm the only one does anyone else get terrible anxiety with their fibromyalgia flare ups? I seem to turn into a nervous anxious person everything irritates me and upsets me I feel doomed I know that sounds dramatic but I'm sitting here crying now and I don't even know why....dr has put me on an antidepressant and I'm hoping that will help, I'm in so much pain today feel like I've been hit by a bus... sad sad
Posted 6/30/2011 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Shanny,

I don't think we've "met" before. Welcome to the forum, it's a great place! I too get bad anxiety. I never experienced anxiety until the Fibro hit. That was one of my first symptoms. I had a panic attack out of nowhere and had no idea what was going on. It seems that some people get depression with the Fibro and others get anxiety. I assume some people also get neither or a little of both, but anxiety is certainly not uncommon.

I also find that my anxiety increases during flares, around hormonal changes and if I am in a stressful situation my body doesn't always respond appropriately and react the way it should and calm down as it should. It can take much longer for my body to react initially and a lot longer for it to begin to calm down.

When I was first diagnosed 5 years ago at the age of 24 I was adamant about not being on a lot of medications. So I worked with my internist and started Effexor XR. It was a great medication, it helped a lot with the anxiety and helped a little with the pain. about 1.5 years ago I weened off. The weening off was difficult, but I wanted to be medication free for a while before starting a family. I have been medication free for the last year and a half and it can be challenging at times. Both with the pain and anxiety. I make sure to do deep breathing, listen to calming music, try to walk off my anxiety and just ride it out.

Hopefully the antidepressant will work, some are known to be better with anxiety so after a few months if you don't feel like the one you're on is working ask to try a different one. Good Luck!
Posted 6/30/2011 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
I have both depressions and anixety. Not fun. I jump at everything. It's a joke at my house, they all say don't sneak up on mommy. LOL
Sometime it back fires and I scare the crap out of them when I scream. lol
I am like you, trying to take the right med. to take care of both problems. When you do find the right med, it will help so so much.
I was on this form last week talking about the samething. Be patient, cause the depression med will help. I have aniexty about just having Fibro. Isn't that something.
Marilyn
Posted 6/30/2011 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, anxiety is one of the many "perks' of Fibromyalgia (FMS). I have it and sometimes have full blown panic attacks when I am under a lot of stress. I saw a counselor and had Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which gave me some tools that help me cope better. I can usually talk myself out of a panic attack now but my anxiety level is still more unpredictable than I would like. Try taking some deep breaths when you feel it starting to build. That always helps me.

You are not alone and will get through this. Keep your chin up. I'm sending positive thoughts your way. Take care.
Posted 6/30/2011 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Shanny63- welcome I am glad you are here. I suffer depression and and anxiety also. This is a good place to vent. I am trying to have therapy once a week. Don't forgot to have this all documented for future use.
Posted 6/30/2011 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone, it's such a relief to find people going thru what I am ...I don't feel like an alien from another planet quite so much....sometimes it's so easy to feel alone with fibromyalgia...thank you again best wishes to you all shannon
Posted 6/30/2011 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Like Marilyn I jump at the slightest sounds.
Can't stand it. I mean the stupidest little noise.
Just one more thing to laugh at.
Posted 6/30/2011 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I had anxiety with my "Fibro" and then I learned my Fibro was really lyme disease and a co-infection called bartonella. Once I treated bartonella, my anxiety went away completely.

Prior to my lyme diagnosis, I was told that the awful anxiety I was experiencing was the root of the physical fibro-like symptoms that I was experiencing. But this wasn't true. The Bartonella and lyme were causing my anxiety. And one properly treated with long term antibiotic therapy this symptom disappeared completely.

I suggest you check out lyme disease and bartonella / BLO (Bartonella Like Organisms)
Posted 7/1/2011 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
There are times when I am jumpy (most of the time actually) and there are times when I'm not (rarely). Sometimes I am extremely claustrophobic as well, like at Drs office the rooms are so small, I sit for about 30 seconds then I stand and try to change my focus and if it gets too bad I open the door.

Take care
Rose
Posted 7/1/2011 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all, I'm a bit like Marilyn I'm anxious about having fibro I think, sometimes I get myself so worked up about pains and twitches I find it hard to believe it's fibro, I'm a bit of a hypochondriac too I will admit it.....I scare myself to death sometimes...I'm not allowed to google symptoms other than fibro......hugs to you all shannon
Posted 7/1/2011 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have had panic/anxiety attacks for years, over 30.  Have any of you tried going gluten free, and I have to say, you must be totally gluten free when you do it.  My aunt was told by her rheumy to try gluten free for her fibro and see what happens, she is doing much better.

I have been gluten free for 11 years this month.  I do have tyo say, I didn't go gluten free because of fibro, I am gluten intolerant, actually intolerant of all grains.   My panic/anxiety attacks rarely happened until my rheumy put me on meds.  The meds made me so sick, the panic came back.  Now I am on Celexa again.  Pain, as a rule, doesn't make me panic, only tummy issues do.

Posted 7/2/2011 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I have always had panic disorder but I think the fibro has made it worse and somewhat better.At first I worried about all my pains or weird sensations when they came now I am begining not to worry as much even though I still get things checked out.I do have outbursts of crying for no reason though.
Posted 7/8/2011 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Rose I do the same thing. I wait about a minute or two and if the doctor doesn't come into the examining room, I open the door because I am claustophobic. I have been since I was on an elevator at age 3 and I am now 53. I even went to a psycologist for a year for help with this phobia. I have always had anxiety about my kids especially since one died in a car accident 14 years ago. When I first was diagnosed with fibro I really went over the edge for awhile with anxiety and my dr put me on xanax. Right now I only take vitamins and have it pretty much under control but there are days when I have to stop, pray, breathe and nip it in the bud before it gets the best of me.
Posted 7/9/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rose, omg I thought I was the only one that opens the examining room door. How funny. Can't beleive you said that. I guess I am claustophobic too. LOL
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