Anxiety.. Need advice

One thing that I've learned since coming on here is that you can't be negative. Negative thoughts will only make things worse. Don't believe that you're going to experience bad side effects. Have some hope that maybe this medicine can and will help you. Positivity is key to getting through this!

I had a really bad night tonight. My stomach started bothering me around 6 so I took a mylanta and .25 xanax because I was going to the movies with my boyfriend and wanted to enjoy the night without any worries. Halfway through the movie, my stomach was killing me and I started having terrible anxiety.. Even an hour after I had taken the xanax. I ended up going to the bathroom and having diarrhea (sorry for the details!) which I'm assuming is because I haven't been eating much and drinking more than I've been eating. This caused me to panic even more and I didn't want to ruin the night. I took .125 xanax and let it dissolve so my anxiety would settle down and it didn't until after I finally told my boyfriend that I had to leave the movies. Just being around people and out in public when I'm like this makes me even more nervous.

He's been a great support system through this tough time. He doesn't really understand the whole anxiety thing but he's always there when I need to vent. I just hate how this anxiety is taking a toll on not only my life, but the people around me. It makes me feel terrible. So much for me being positive! I should take my own advice haha.

Had a pretty good day today. Hope you did as well.

Hi guys, sorry I haven't posted in a while. Sometimes I feel like reading stuff on the internet drives me nuts lol so I decided to stay away for a little.

Been going through a bit of a tough time again. I found out my boyfriend went to vegas with his friend and lied to me and told me he was in New Jersey with his family. He really kicked me when I was already down and he was my rock so it hurt really bad. We're doing okay now, trying to work things out..

I've still been having bad gas pains every night and every morning. I only have a bowel movement once a day which is very unlike me. I've lost 7 pounds throughout this whole anxiety episode. I had bloodwork on Tuesday for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, waiting to hear back on my results. I'm just hoping I feel better soon. I still haven't had much of an appetite. I wake up lightheaded and weak every morning, not sure if that's from not really eating or what. It's so hard for me to go to work when I'm like this because I'm on my feet all day and all I want to do is just stay home and lay down.

I feel like I'm waiting an eternity for these results and I just keep thinking the worst :(

Just wanted to stop by and see how your doing. Hope all is well.

Hi srg08,

I am glad that you are getting your medical evaluations done and back...so that you can go about treating your stomach issues.

It is also great to hear that your new doctor is a winner...good news! Well done on being an advocate for yourself and finding someone who is good for you.:)

Starting your medication can allow you to get enough relief from the anxiety, as to be able to learn self-help skills and/or gain tools through therapy that may allow you to make the medication a temporary treatment.

Look at it as something that is good for getting started with now, and don't project into the future about it.

Many people take various meds for an array of physical issues, so why should this be any different, right?

Keep up the good work towards your recovery, you are doing great.:)

S.C.

Hi srg08,
I've been following your posts, and I have felt so sorry for you. I am soooo glad you were finally doing the stomach ultrasound. I am 48 years old (female) and like you, have terrible high anxiety. I'm not afraid to leave the house, but that IS where i feel most safe and relaxed. Give the Lexapro time to work. (yes, it might have side effects), but any meds we put in our bodies that we aren't used to, our bodies will rebel against it in many ways until we are used to it. It will probably take several weeks, to even a month, for you to get used to it, but it might only take a week for you to see a difference in how you feel. Don't be afraid to take something though that may help you. I've got a pure "bucket" of meds now bc of an auto accident last year. You had mentioned that this anxiety came on all of a sudden. Can you remember any trigger that might have caused it? Did something happen at work? My prayers are with you, and don't ever be afraid to talk on here. My heart goes out to you. Things will get better, I promise. Stay away from google as much as you can..LOL, it can scare you to death. ( I know it is a normal reaction now that we have the web at our fingertips, and when you get on a new med to immediately go and find out what it can do) --everyone is different, and will have different reactions to meds. Hang in there and keep us posted:) Have a wonderful day.

Hi pinky, I do have some xanax still to get me through the start up side effects (if there are any). Actually, my doctor told me to continue take them for the first few days. I asked her if Lexapro has any side effects and all she said was that I might feel out of it for the first two days but she hasn't heard anything bad about it. So fingers crossed! And yes, there was something that triggered my anxiety. I have an extreme fear of throwing up, whenever my stomach hurts bad or feels weird I freak out. I was out with my sister one day and my stomach started feeling weird and BAM anxiety attack. That was on May 2nd and since that day I've had anxiety every day. Pretty much because I'm afraid to feel like that again.

Hi MAL, thank you for your kind words. The past two nights I've had terrible nausea starting around 8. This of course increases my anxiety really badly. I think the nausea is from not eating and drinking enough but I'm not sure. When I have an anxiety attack, I find it helps when I put my thumbs inside a fist and squeeze or if I dig my nails into my arms (weird, I know!). I didn't realize how bad I was digging into my arm until I woke up and saw red marks all over my arm :( this whole anxiety thing scares the crap out of me.

My Anxiety Life said...
Anxiety makes us think all kinds of fearful things!

Sorry you are still struggling with your nausea. :( Is there some kind of drink you could take, like Boost which has fiber too so you will get nutrients and not get the 'runs'?

If the thumb/fist squeezing works, keep doing it. As long as it's not physically hurting you (much).

You are not alone!

I don't necessarily have the runs, especially not since my anxiety started. Ever since my anxiety started, I only go either once or twice a day and it's a normal bowel movement. I've been trying to eat more and drink more each day. I'm a really tiny person, always have been. I'm down 8 pounds since all this started and I certainly can't afford to lose anymore weight.

It feels so good to know I'm not alone. When I talk to friends or family about anxiety, I just feel like they don't get it. Thank you guys for being like a shoulder for me to lean on :)