Anxiety

Hello Everyone,

This is a topic I am hoping I am not alone on and one I never in my life thought I would be writing on, anxiety! I have been in this flare or condition whatever you want to call it since June and been on STD since the end of September, my mental state was fine in the beginning other than lupus CNS. That said as time went on I began having anxiety at night when I would try to go to sleep, to the point that I would literally end up staying up all night and watch tv or read whatever, I just could  not go to sleep. Everytime I would try I would get that horrible feeling that something bad was going to happen, you know that feeling like you just got on a roller coaster and have gone down the first big hill and not sure what is up ahead of you? That feeling in my chest and stomach. During the day I would feel fine. I have a prescription for xanex and I am to the point where I have to take two 0.5 pills to get to sleep at night! I got this approved through my rheumy, he told me to double up and we would discuss the situation at my next appointment (which is tomorrow).

Well, here within the last two weeks I have started having anxiety during the day as well. It is horrible and I am almost to the point of tears and don't want to go anywhere because I don't want to be caught in that situation while in front of anyone. Well, now I am having to take xanex during the day, because I find myself with that roller coaster feeling in my chest and stomach and feelings of something really bad going to happen when!

Does anyone know why this happens? Is it because I have too much time on my hands? I know my mom got anxiety really, really bad with her COPD, I felt so bad for her, but I never really understood what she was going through, perhaps this is payback...LOL! Seriously though, I can't get my head around it literally! I hate the fact that I have to take this medicine to feel comfortable in my own skin. sigh. Thanks for listening.

Melissa

Hi Melissa,

 

I know the anxiety issues all too well.  They are part of Fibro as well.  Too much cortisol in our systems (Fibro causes that).  Then you add prednisone on top of it.... Bad combo. We're set up to have anxiety.

 

My anxiety is almost totally health related.  I used to have horrible anxiety attacks, PTSD, depression.  The whole gamut.  My doctor put me on Zoloft and Neurontin.  HUGE improvements. I don't have anxiety anymore, and the Neurontin has really helped with my Fibro pain as well has helping me to taper off of the Benzodiazapine I was taking.  Have you ever tried Neurontin (Gabapentin)? GABA is the natural, feel good chemical in the brain.  So if we add a little via a pill, it really helps. We Fibromites tend to be a bit short on GABA.

 

You're definitely not alone in the anxiety category. I know how horrible the feelings are. Let your rheumy know about your troubles and ask them about the Neurontin if you're curious.

 

Long, deep breaths Melissa.  Hugs to you!

 

Ginny

Hi Melissa. I hope your rheumy appt goes well. I've been seeing a shrink for 'bout 6 years. I wouldn't be here without his team of great psychiatric nurses. I have occasionally seen a psychologist, but I must have anti-depressants. Even with all the drugs, I have an interesting anxiety problem though. I clench my jaw and push my tongue up against my teeth. I thought my tongue was swollen, but found I developed "scalloped tongue" from the pressure. I now have to think "teeth open, teeth open" to keep my tongue from getting ridges. I've been wanting to learn meditation. I'll let you know if I do. Let us know how you're doing. ((hugs)) Love, Butterflake 

Well, I had the alarm set for 9am to get up for my doctors appt, the phone rang at 8:30am, it was the receptionist at my doctors office from rheumy's office, she tells me my doc is snowed in somewhere and they are going to have to move my appt to the 23rd! Dang it....and that's not really what I want to say! So, now I have two more weeks to wait before I can get some kind of answers, not what I wanted to hear.

Melissa