HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

new member...don't know what to do

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/24/2008 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Just starting on this forum. Thought maybe someone might have some words of wisdom for me. A couple years ago I started having panic/anxiety attacks and was put on Lexapro. After a year and 1/2 I weaned off and three months later had a panic attack with lingering anxiety. I went to a new doc who misdiagnosed me and loaded me up with meds which made me very sick. I ended up in depression which I never had before and still can't get back to normal. It's been 8 months now. I have a wonderful therapist and am back on the lex plus ativan but I'm almost immobilized. I don't know how to get out of this. Most days I feel frozen. I'm able to leave the house to do things but haven't been able to work. In the meantime I was diagnosed with Celiac disease which doesn't help my anxiety. I've just never been this way before. It feels like the thinking part of my brain is shut off. Has anyone else had this happen with anxiety? I don't know if it's depression or terrrible anxiety. I don't really feel depressed anymore, just unable to move. Mornings are the worst as I wake up with anxiety every day. I just want my life back. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for letting me vent!
Posted 4/24/2008 9:25 PM (GMT 0)

Dear 2long4this,

Your discription of your sx certainly sounds like anxiety. I think the most important move you have made is to get back on your Lexapro and that you are seeing a therapist.  It may take some hard work but I would like to believe that with time the Lexapro will help you and your therapist will work with you in getting out of this depressive state.

You have a lot going on and please try not to be so hard on yourself.

I am so glad your found our site and I am sure you will be hearing from other members. We know where your coming from and what your going through.

Take care and stick with us.
Kitt

Posted 4/24/2008 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with kitt. I have the worst of my anxiety in the morning and it is not fun. Nobody likes to wake up trembling with their heart pounding! Just know you are not alone. I have just recently gotten my anxiety and panic under control and was able to return to work last week. Now I have had feelings of depression because I work from 6:30 pm and don't get home until 3 am. It is a very hard adjustment for me, but knowing that there are people out there feeling the same way and supporting you helps. Keep posting, it's a good release.
And welcome to the healing well family!
Posted 4/25/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome! I'm glad you found us, and I hope you'll get the support you need by hanging out here.

The sense of not being able to get going, start moving, not even caring was a key aspect of my depression. My anxiety always makes me feel desperate and driven, like I can't stand to sit patiently and deal with whatever is going on -- or like I have to run and hide from it. Whichever you're facing, I'm really glad you've got a good doctor and therapist on your side. Have you been back on the lexapro for very long? Some meds can take 4-6 weeks to have a noticeable effect, but you probably know that from the first time.

I don't know anything about Celiac disease. Aside from the concern about having it, can it cause some mood disturbances itself?

Hang in there, and keep posting to let us know how you're doing.

percycat
Posted 4/25/2008 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I too know where you are comig from. I have had times in my life that seemed like I just wanted the old me back!
Stay on the lexapro for a while and if it doesnt seem to help try talking with your doc about tring something else.
Lexapro seems to help with both anxiety and depression. I use to be a very bold and outgoing person who would
talk to anyone about anything and try almost anything untill my anxiety hit me hard! There were times when I had trouble
buy food at he store to feed my family, I would feel like I was about to pass out just standing in line.

I know it seems hard but just hang in there. Post here anytime you need a boost or just someone to talk with.
Ever since I have joined this has truly been one of the safest places for me to talk about my problems.
The people on here seem to really care!
Welcome!
Posted 4/25/2008 3:38 AM (GMT 0)

Welcome, you have a lot going on right now but I'm very glad you found us here.

My mother has coeliac disease too and I have ton's of advice and yummy recipes if you would like (just email me- little icon on the right)

You will get a lot of positive advice and help at HW and I really hope you stay with us :-)

Posted 4/25/2008 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hello!

I'm glad that you found this forum.  As you can see you have lots of online support and many people have anxiety issues like you.  I am glad that you are willing to work it out and not give up.  However, I do want to give a gentle piece of information.  This is a process and you'll have better days and worse days, and finding the right drugs is also a process.  I know that it took me a couple of tries before I found the right benzo and ssri meds that fit me.  So hang in there, if the meds don't work, go back to your doctor and ask them to be adjusted/changed.  Also it helps to have somebody you trust to talk to.  I know it helps me tremendously.  I have about 4-5 friends I can unload and it is very therapeutic.  I am not knocking the online support.  I think it is wonderful, but we all need a local person we can talk to face to face.

I hope and pray that you are will/do that.

Blessings,

Top G.

 

Posted 4/25/2008 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Dear 2long4this,

 

How are you doing?  I am so glad you joined us but TG is correct, you need real people in your life that you can talk with.  Soemtimes if they will just listen and let you vent it will help bring down the anxiety and you will find you feel much better. A combination of online suport group, a therapist and some family or friends to support you would be the ideal.

I do realize that everyone does not have access to the idea.  So stick with us and we will support you as best we can.  :)

Bless you
Kitt

Posted 4/25/2008 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the support! I'm having a really rough time right now with everything that's going on. I've lost 3/4 of my hair, lost 30 pounds and look awful. That's what led to the celiac diagnosis. I need to eat to regain my strength but I have a hard time making myself. And my choices are very limited. I don't know if the exhaustion is from the anxiety/depression or the celiac. It's like my whole world feel apart in no time and I want it to go away. I'm very sensitive to meds and most don't even work. It seems like I've been on so much medication in the past 8 months. I hardly would ever take an aspirin before! I have good friends to talk to but they don't know how to help me after all this time and they have their own busy lives. Plus I really don't feel like talking. I don't even feel like watching tv. I need to get back to work but don't have the energy or the brains for it right now. I just wish I knew when this would end. Everyone keeps telling me I'll get better. But when??? This is not me. I'm still mad about the doctor who over perscribed meds which shot me into depression. I told her repeatedly that I was getting sicker and one in particular was making me feel depressed but she kept upping the dose. Now I'm just a mess. Do you get better? Or is this a life sentence?

Thanks so much

Posted 4/25/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi 2long4this,   Welcome to Healing Well, this is a great supportive community that will help and support you however possible.   I know absolutely nothing about Celiac Disease, but I can imagine that it's contributing to the anxiety and depression.  Anxiety and depression don't have to be lifelong "sentences", they are manageable and may even be able to go away altogether.  You are definitely going in the right direction with therapy and being on meds - these will help you.  Have you tried going to a different doc and/or seeing a psychiatrist for the psych meds?  Maybe that is that the route for you to go - just a thought for you to consider.   Come here any time you like to vent, post to other's posts, ask questions, etc.   Take care and we look forward to getting to know you better, Wen
Posted 4/25/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)

This is my 4th doctor. After the first one I was so sick I ended up in the hospital. After I got out, the doctor (#2 aside from the hospital) didn't seem to want to treat me anymore because I have such bad reactions. So I switched to a really great doc, who is now taking it very slow. I've been on Lexapro for about 6 weeks with minimal improvements. Last time I took it, it worked in a month. But that time was only anxiety and it wasn't that bad. I've tried just about everything else. Maybe it has more to do with celiac. (Which means I have an autoimmune response to wheat, barley, etc. mostly every additive in food) I just don't know how to work on this to make myself better. I feel like I'm waiting for it to go away and I don't have time to wait anymore.How long do episodes typically last? I know everyone is different...but maybe just an average?

Thanks

Posted 4/25/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
2long4this

Hey there and I am so sorry you feeling so down but it sounds to me like you are quite ill. 

Now, I do believe that you will get better. Once the diagnosis of celiac disease  has been confirmed, treatment can begin immediately. It does not require surgery. It does not require an unending dependence on medication.  The best and only known treatment for celiac is simply following  a lifelong elimination of "gluten". Have you had a chance to meet with a nutritionist re your new dx?  I know the shock of finding out you have another disorder to deal with has plunged you deep into depression but let us help you out. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

The immune system of a person with celiac disease is weak. You are going to respond differently to medications etc then someone without this disease.  I would really like to see you let us help you work on getting to a physician and start getting your nutrition back on track and then your depression may lift.  Right now you sound very run down.

We care for you so please let us help you.  Your family here.  Hugs to you.

Kitt

Posted 4/26/2008 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
It does get better, my mother thought she was going to die before she was diagnosed.  Your poor body has been through a lot, but with the right food both your physical and mental state will improve..hang in there and keep us posted.  Vent at will!!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply