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Anyone going through this without meds?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 7/7/2013 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
So I have decided that taking the medicine for me is worse than just dealing with the anxiety. I'm scared to death of all the side affects that they can cause. I'm reading my material and I am reading everyone's post during the day and I think it's going to help me through.

Today hasn't been terrible but hasn't been good. I have had the crazy dizziness all day along with the feeling of a closed throat. I have taken Benadryl 3 times today thinking my throat was closing. ( I know I said I wasn't going to take meds but I take Benadryl for my allergies anyway and have for 2 or 3 years.
Anyone is trying to go through this without meds??
Posted 7/7/2013 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Me.

And I'm struggling, but surviving. I have good days, but just as many bad. Breathing exercises really help a lot.

Good luck!
Posted 7/7/2013 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
I can't seem to focus enough to do the breathing exercises. I did download a good hypnosis app on my iPhone and it helps when I'm falling asleep at night
Posted 7/7/2013 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Me too. For nearly 12 years (I'm 24) and I'm glad yet wonder how it'd be different if I took medication. I have good days & bad days but with CBT therapy & the more I learn about symptoms etc. the easier it gets to manage. Without taking medications at least you know what you feel isn't a side effect from a med :-)

Others have had some great relief with medication though. Each person is different & we have to do what's best for ourselves!
Posted 7/7/2013 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
I practice the breathing techniques when I'm not anxious. It makes them so much easier to do when I am.

I've never had too much trouble falling asleep. My anxiety is mainly when I wake up until early evening. Once the sun goes down, I feel "safe. "
Posted 7/7/2013 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
I only take 1 med and that is metroprolol a beta blocker for my bp spikes and I have to deal with my anxiety too. Positive thoughts and breathing exercises help me make it through the day. Thinking you are in a bad shape and have a disease will only make you feel worse and keeps the anxiety alive. Just being here in HW gives me a positive atmosphere. Wish you better days!
Posted 7/7/2013 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Shadawn

I had my first and worst anxiety/panic attack in 1997 out of nowhere. I had just settled down for bed and felt relaxed and fine and the next thing I knew, I thought my body was shutting down and I was about to die. I began reading everything I could find about anxiety and panic. Once I discovered many suffer from what I was feeling with many of the same symptoms, it eased my mind a lot.

I knew medication was an option but from all that I had read I knew it would not fix the root of the problem which was my way of thinking about things and perception of things.

It has been a looonngggg road....reprogramming ones thoughts and behaviors takes a lot of work and a lot of time. 16 years later I still have anxiety but I manage it to the point that I have a quality life again. I may have moments during the day where maybe I feel a bit edgy, but it doesn't last long and doesn't dominate my day.

I never took a med of any kind...but for everyone it's different and meds or not if you don't work on the root of what's causing it....I don't feel it can be managed long term....meds can help cope but again...while someone is coping they need to be using as many methods as they can to improve their thoughts and behaviors.....my two cents...best wishes....Wingman

Posted 7/7/2013 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
I dont take meds anymore.. but not because I dont think they helped.. my doctor quit prescribing xanex.. out of the blue.. had to go cold turkey.. should have sued. ! long story.. anywho.. now I am pretty much antisocial as anxiety is bad. hate to leave the house.. need to find a new doctor.. but seems like I can't get it together to do that. insomnia is bad. wake up with heart racing.. oh is it side effect from taking xanex for 5 years.. ? have been off almost 2 years.. and still wish I had them.
cause I know I felt better with that without. My dose never went up was .25 for 5 years.. took them just like they said to take.. I was having problems getting along with my nurse practice who wrote the script.. i think she cut me off to be mean. then jumped my ass about where I was getting my drugs? I was like no.. not on them at all.. she was freaking out on me like I could have ended up in ER.. so why I ask didnt you refill them? like this is all my fault? strange but true..
Posted 7/9/2013 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to here all these stories as I've decided to do it without meds and just CBT reading these post make me feel better about my choose ass I'm only 21 and don't like taking medication I gag on anything I take and the side effects are horrible
Posted 7/16/2013 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I stopped taking meds two months ago. Very tough in the beginning but not impossible. I think learning self-help techniques is beneficial.
Posted 7/16/2013 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
I don't take meds except for an antidepressant to fix a heriditary serotonin deficiency from my mother (we both take the exact same med). To help my anxiety, I play the piano, draw pictures, do mindfulness meditation, watch comedies and drink chamomile tea.
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