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Posted 2/5/2008 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys my name is Gail (Nanners) and I am visiting from the Crohns forum.  Your beloved (and ours too) mod Kitt helped me to put a name to my disorder.  I have been suffering with this anxiety for close to five years and finally have a name to it.  I have had Crohns for over 30 years and it is actually behaving well these days.  My main problem now is this anticipatory anxiety.  I am going on a trip to Mexico in the next few weeks that freaked me out as soon as I booked the tickets.  I was afraid that what if I got sick there, would my hubby be mad, or what if this or what if that.  Those fears are pretty common for Crohnies.  But I am having problems with my one of my daughters too, so have been avoiding her becuz she just increases my anxiety.  She tried to call yesterday, but I didn't pick up because I was feeling vulnerable at that point.  But just the fact that she called sent my anxiety skywards.  I barely made it home from work before I started puking my guts out.

My anxiety symptoms are always gastric.  I get nauseous, throw up, have alot of Diarrhea and because of the vomiting, start getting irregular heart beats and pee like crazy.  I take Valium and something for the nausea that helps for the time being. 

What I want to know is what meds are you using to help you with your anxiety?  Do you take something daily or do you use something only when the anxiety hits?  I know (thanks again to Kitt) that Kitt uses her Valium daily.  I don't have this anxiety everyday, but a stressful situation hits and its right there again.  I am wondering if I should just make my Valium a daily med for a few weeks until things settle down.  But then again I worry about the dependency this drug can cause.  And thats a big fear of mine too. 

I know you all aren't doctors, but was wondering how you keep your anxiety under control.  I just want to hear some ideas from those who feel as I do.  Thanks for reading this and for your responses.

God Bless,

Gail *Nanners*

Posted 2/5/2008 7:14 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Nanners and Welcome to the A & P forum.  We are glad to have you and the members will have some great ideas for you too.

As you know I use Valium.  Currently I am taking 2mg twice a day.  I was at one time at 40mg per day but over the past year have weaned down to my current dose.  I hold well at this dose.  Less and I start to feel jittery and anxious.

Valium is a benzodiazepine with properties of being a sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant drug. Valium is generally used to treat short term moderate to severe anxiety or insomnia. The drug has been shown to lead to the development of tolerance, physiological and psychological dependency when used for long periods. 

It is also the longest lasting benzo so your blood level remains at a steadier level.  You should not get the highs and low if you take it everyday at least until you get this trip under your belt.

Most of us here have triggers that can set us off.  I too don't always answer the phone as I know at the time the person calling may trigger me and I cannot deal with it right then.

Your physical sx are nasty.  Vomiting can be stimulated by various triggers, such as smell, taste, anxiety, pain, motion etc. Many people with anxiety reacted physically the way you do.

A visit to your PCP before this trip is another suggestion and be sure to explain how you feel and your physical reactions to the stressors.

I want this to be a pleasant experience for you.  Keep posting here.
We will do our best to help you.

Hugs
Kitt

Posted 2/5/2008 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the response Kitt. So you don't think if I took it daily for a few weeks I would have problems with dependency? I tried yesterday and today to do that CBT but my mind is just having to hard a time focusing on what they are trying to teach. I want to get this under control. The trip I am more comfortable with, but still feel very sensitive to any other stressor. When you described my physical sx you nailed them exactly. I figured it would be best also not to talk to my daughter, but then of course the guilt about not speaking to her made everything worse. Or even the fact that she called made the anxiety out of control. Man, this is driving me crazy. Thanks again for responding. Its nice someone else understands what I am feeling.
Posted 2/5/2008 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nanners

I also suffer from A&P. I take Xanax for it and it is fast acting but does not stay in the blood long. I take it 3 times a day because I am dependent on it. I wish I were not but its better than being always anxious.

For the anxiety you are experiencing you could take one of the benzos..which valium and xanax is....for a short time. I would not go more than 2 weeks on it bcause tolerance and dependence is easily developed. Its best to ask your doc though. sorry for all thats happeneing and i wish you all the best,

GT
Posted 2/5/2008 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Be patient with yourself on the cbt. It takes time but once you get the hang of it it will eliminate your anticipatory anxiety and help you keep things in perspective. Focus your energy on countering your thoughts in a tea form and realize just going through the motions on them is a great start!
Posted 2/6/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)

Nanners
I suspect taking the med for a couple of weeks on a regular basis is not going to be a problem for you. i do not get the feeling that you would be taking it just to feel good but rather for what it is intended ...to help you through the anxiety.

I understand what you mean by the phone call and your daughter issue.  That old guilt creeps up and catches us because we have been taught that a good Mother would always talk to their children.........not.  If you need to take care of you right now your daughter will be ok.  Many is the time I have had a falling out with my daughter and spent days crying thinking she was probably doing the same thing only to find out she was fine. I was home crying.  She was out shopping and having fun.  It is the anxiety that drives us .......sometimes but remember we have anxiety, it does not have us.
Gentle Hugs
Kitt

Posted 2/6/2008 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Well to tell you all the truth I am starting to think its worse than I am explaining. I have decided to go to the doctor tomorrow. Would go today, but they only work half days on Weds. I think its now time for something daily to help get this under control as it seems to have changed to daily now. I can't handle the anxious feelings anymore. Please do keep me in your prayers.
Posted 2/6/2008 2:48 PM (GMT 0)

Gail
Please email me as I saw your note and I am wide open so you are more than welcome to email me..........I would be honored to try to help.
Kitt

Posted 2/6/2008 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
hi gail,
i want to learn more about anxiety .how can i get it diagnosed or treated as i feel like you now a days,i need help as i have bad stressors now a days but dont know what to do?

sad
katy
Posted 2/6/2008 7:02 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Katy,
Like Gail, a trip to your PCP is a good place to start and if you need a referral to or psychiatrist your physician can usually arrange it.  Make sure you are honest with your physician so he/she knows what your going through.  Many people do find on a medication and at the same time working on controlling the anxiety.

Hope this helps you some.
Kitt

Posted 2/7/2008 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
HI Gail i've been suffering from P/A for about 11 years now and have had many of the sxs you speak of!!!! i havent took a road trip in 5 years now out of fear!!! I cant even get on the inerstate even in the inner city much less to travel long distance!!! Before i can even get on the highway i'm already talking myself out of it.I take Paxil 20mg just started it,hydroxizine 50 mg and occassionally xanax .25 usually only half because like you i'm afraid of dependency.Even with all that i still have the blues form time to time and still cant travel.My goal is to get back on that highway one day.I hope soon, because when i did travel i loved it!!! Oh i'm gald im not the only one who doesn't answer my phone i thought i was weird for that, and my family always complains about it but sometimes you just dont feel like talking!! Gail dont feel guilty about avoiding your daughters calls because if she triggers your anxiety then you probably dont need to talk to her as much at least until you get a hold on this!!!
Posted 2/8/2008 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Gail
Am so glad you popped over here to talk about all of this

IMHO...Anticiaptory anxiety CAN be beaten you need the right tools to do it with and you my friend are capable of anything........

I have and am using CBT relaxation and other self help techniques as well as I do take Valium like Kitt and others to help me with mine

I had no choice this past wknd to see all siblings which I normally avoid like the plague BUT I did it and I said alot of things that had to be said and for that I am proud..NO do not be ashamed as Panike said if you avoid your daughters calls

I hope and pray you will continue to post here and let us know how you are doing.....

Luvs
and
God Bless
LYN
Posted 2/8/2008 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys, went and saw a Pcp doc yesterday and she put me on 25 mg Zoloft for one week and then after that week I will up to 50 mg. And said to continue to take the Valium as needed. Sure hope this works. And with the Crohns doesn't upset the gut. I seemed to do okay yesterday, so keep your fingers crossed that I do.

Don't know if it something I ate or maybe the med, but have felt more gassier. Anyone have any wierd side effects from Zoloft that maybe go away in time that I should be one the lookout for? Thanks again.
Posted 2/19/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have crohns and have the same anxiety symptoms you do Nanners. I am trying to get OFF valium for good, I think t his is causing me much anxiety, as I was put on temazepam to help with withdrawal symptoms from steroids and now can't get off the benzos!  I take 1/4 of 2 mgs at night and am almost off of them completely but I think it's making me SOOO anxious, the withdrawal effects.  I am having difficulties concentrating and am sick to my stomach most of the day.  I try not to think about anything anymore!
Posted 2/20/2008 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys, just wanted to let you all know that I returned from my trip that had triggered the biggest anxiety attack ever.  I HAD THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I took my Xanax first thing every a.m. and at bedtime and that alone kept everything under control.

I want to thank you all so much for your support!  And a special thank you to you skitt.  You were right, everything turned out well and I did have a good time.  And the trip has helped to bond me and my husband even more.

Thanks again for your help.  Off to go meet with a new therapist to help me deal with my anticipatory anxiety problem.  My children are all grown and its time for hubby and me to enjoy life and not let this anxiety control me anymore.

Thanks all, I love you all.

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