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For those that get through the anxiety naturally, please advise....

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 2/8/2009 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone~

I was just wondering what you do to deal with anxiety, naturally.  After weaning-off Effexor (it's only been 2-3 weeks), I'm already thinking of the next AD I want to try.  Perhaps I should be in the mindset that I'll try to get through this on my own, without assistance of medication.

I hate the physical symptoms that go with anxiety, epecially that burning in the chest (the adrenaline going to town!).  When I exercise I can get rid of that tense, burning feeling, however; in no time at all it comes back!

I have a feeling I'm having more anxiety now because I've been off the Effexor for a few weeks, after being on it for a few years (actually, seven years!).  I'm sure it will take my body some time to adjust, I've heard it can takes months for your body to adjust to not being on medication.

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Also, has anyone gone from being on medication, to getting off of it, to being able to handle the anxiety without going back on meds?

THanks so much!

Karen

Posted 2/8/2009 2:34 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Karen,

A couple of things...........I am with you as I am weaning off my Cymbalta and I am down to 20 mg every 48 hours.  I am going to try to stretch that and see how far I can go now and perhaps be done completely.

So I do not know if I will crash but I also have major depressive disorder. The whole letting go of the med is really scary to me.

What I use to help me is CBT online.

Here is the link for the free online site for MoodGym:

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

Do take a look at it and see what you think?  Also keep posting as I would like to hear how  your doing off the med.

I have read that it takes Cymbalta 2 months to clear a person's system............... I can do this, and I know you can learn ways to beat the anxiety to the ground.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 2/8/2009 2:46 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for your reply Kit, I'm going to check-out that link as soon as I finish my reply.

I have been without the Effexor for alomost three weeks, and unfortunately the anxiety is getting worse.  I suppose this could just be my body adjusting to being without it.  When you say it takes Cymbalta about two months to clear a person's system, what exactly do you mean?  My dr told me that the Effexor is out of my system within a few days, though does that just mean the chemical is out of my system?  Is my body still reacting to not having it?  Does the system take two months to adjust to being without the medication?

I'm feeling really discouraged right now.  I thought I would start to feel better after a couple of weeks, and I'm only feeling worse.  Mind you, I'm also on 10mg of Prozac and that's not doing a darn thing.

I sincerely hope you have better luck then me Kitt, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts....

Hugs,

Karen

Posted 2/8/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)

Hey there, I know you feel discouraged and you have a right to but hang on as it will get better. 

Effexor is an SNRI drug and from I have read is one of the hardest meds to come off of. Each of the drugs have different clearance of the drug from you system............if your meds 1/2 life is short you will get withdrawal sx quicker then on of the longer lasting meds.

I believe the way I understand it that your own bodies reaction to the lack of the med is a huge factor in how long the withdrawal sx last.   Please remember I am not a physician.

Do take care and keep posting.

Hugs
Kitt

Posted 2/8/2009 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Karen,

I don't know much about this but the advice from Kitt then Nikki is great an right on in my opinion :) I wish you the best of luck and please do keep us posted on how your are doing with your weaning process. . . I am slowly backing off of my Clonzepam, so I know how worrisome this could can be :)

Take care and the best of luck to you!
Posted 2/8/2009 9:17 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you all so much for your replies, and I greatly appreciate your encouragement!  Having never suffered anxiety until I turned 40, this is just such a mystery to me.  I definitely need to learn how to adjust my lifestyle and implement good relaxation and breathing techniques.  For me, this will be easier said then done!

I noticed that a couple of you mentioned coming off of Klonopin, has that been very difficult?  I'm also taking .5mg/daily to help me ride this out, I've been taking it for about three weeks.  Will this be another thing I need to wean-off of?

Hugs,

Karen

Posted 2/9/2009 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
You'll need to wean off Klonopin if you ever want to just use it on an as needed basis. Your doctor or local pharmacist can help with that.

I went many years without any medication. Biofeedback got me through the rough times. My life was not as stressful as it had been. When panic attacks returned, I was just tired of waking up nervous. So, Prozac is what I've been taking.

Everyone is different. Many people are able to cope without medication. And you may very well be fine without taking anything.
Posted 2/9/2009 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I did without medication for most of my life. It was very hard. Even positive talk didn't work for me. I've always had sever health anxiety, and would talk about my fears with family. Sometimes that would help, and I'd get over it for a while. Only to have it return. It would come in waves. But it got to a point where I couldn't ever get over it, and lived very anxious all the time.

For me medication has been the answer. I'm not cured of course. But now I can use positive talk, telling myself to stay in the moment ect... and can actually acheive that. I don't think there is anything wrong with needing an antidepressant to help get you to that point.
Posted 2/12/2009 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone,

I want to recommend you something that literally changed my life - its a natural formula sold in health stores. its called vilift, i was introduced to it by a friend a few weeks ago, tried it - and it made me feel VERY good. i mean - i finally felt like myself again. like all of you i went through a cupboard full of drugs, and they all have their bad effects. you deserve - all of you deserve to try it - its called vilift - you can search for it online.

Hope to hear your comments!

Gregory
Posted 2/12/2009 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I've found that exercise has helped me tremendously. I started running 3 miles a day then going in the sauna for 15 mins and then the jacuzzi for 10-15. It really helps to relax you. My Doctor told me that it is the lack of seretonin that causes the bad thoughts, I'm on lexapro which is basically a seretonin enhancer but he also told me that exercising releases the same chemicals. Another method I have tried and has worked pretty good is meditation. You can look it up and find out the different techniques. The jest of it is to empty your mind and not think at all, when things get really out of control for me I use that and wipe out my find for a good 30 mins. Give it a shot its worked for me, that and just being able to talk to people who know hwta your going through.
Posted 2/12/2009 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
PETS! :D... If you can have one.... then I would say nothing could help lighten anxiety more than taking care of, playing with, and cuddling a pet... :)

Like PUGS!!!!!!! PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
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