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Posted 12/14/2009 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Ok just wanted to share a few things with you guys since you've been helping me out a lot recently.  I've been experiencing some things that are a little different from my first onset of severe anxiety that hit me about 2 months ago.  Here's what's been going on as of late.

The tension "pressure" headache has calmed down, but seem to have this weird tingling sensation in the same area instead.  (top of head, back of head, neck)

Haven't had a full on body trembling episode in about a month, but my hands and my feet still shake pretty often.

The forgetfullness is getting better, atleast at work anyway.  Am able to remember and atleast do my job.

Things that haven't improved

Body tingling

Chills/Hot flashes (weird cuz Im a guy)

Ear spasms

Stiff/strained neck

heart pounding (not racing, I feel it pounding when I have a bad anxiety attack.  Wouldn't say it beats faster, I just feel it pounding loudly.  I know that sounds weird)

Extreme self-consciousness (Which I've had all my life but seems to have worsened lately)

Itching

Sleep (waking every hour even on ambien)

Anyways, aside from the things that I have yet to improve on....are the first couple of things good signs?  Am really unsure if the tingling is better or worse then the pressure.  Especially feel it strongly tingling when I sneeze, and for a good 15-30 seconds afterwards too.  Really strange stuff, and also I've been getting really dizzy if I stand up after sitting for too long lately.  Thinking that could be a medication side effect though, didn't have that problem before the meds.

Posted 12/14/2009 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike,

A lot of what you explained here happened to me as well. I decided to fight my anxiety by going to my regular doctor and he prescribed Paxil. I have had anxiety since I was 11 but now at 26 I just wanted to finally see if I could fight it off. The Paxil actually caused me to become very very light headed which would in turn cause a panic attack. I switched off paxil and tried Atenolol which basically blocks adrenaline. This worked for a while but then I had an onset of the most severe panic attacks I have ever had and I felt like I was going crazy. I stopped all meds except xanax which I knew I do ok with since it has helped with public speaking through college. I think my anxiety and maybe yours as well could be the combination of drug side effects, being under an extreme amount of stress/pressure in life/ and focusing inward on the anxiety so much. Whatever we focus on in life is only made stronger.

At the worst of my anxiety I too experienced full body shaking, chills/hot flashes, heart pounding, and so on. You are not alone. Keep in mind I am no doctor but I do know that when I stopped taking these drugs that were messing with my brain and body chemistry, I felt a little better. I still do take the xanax if I am going to be in an uncomfortable situation. It is not the permanent solution though and I know this. Honestly things like meditating before bed and in the morning, watching less depressing tv like the news, and exercising regularly at the gym really do help. The exercise will also help with self-consciousness.

I hope this helps... I am still going through a really rough time but know that you are not alone and this could just be a phase. I know I was "normal" for the first 11 years of my life and even though I changed into this anxious person, it should mean I can change back.

-Code83
Posted 12/14/2009 11:04 PM (GMT 0)

I can relate to a lot of what you're saying there Code.  And I've tried the exercise at first but I wasn't getting any sleep so my body was just breaking down on me, was so sore and tired that I could barely stand or walk at one point.  So I stopped exercising so that I could still make it throughout the day working.

 

Main problem I have is, I know everyone says a lot of times ones I hopped off the medication then I was doing a lot better.  But there was a reason I went on this medication in the first place, my head was spinning a million mph and severe headaches and was having severe depressing thoughts.  Feel like if I hop off of this medication that I might just go back to that.

 

Also Code, I feel a lot of times like what's going on isn't real or a lil detached from what is going on.  Emotionless sometimes.

Posted 12/14/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I totally understand the need for sleep to repair the body after working out. For muscle repair I suggest a Whey protein shake after working out. For sleep I can recommend an herbal remedy called Valerian Root. But if your sleeplessness is really bad I am sure you are doing the right thing by trying the Ambien. Meditation really might help.

I also don't suggest just hopping off the medication, it is important to taper off of something before trying something else. Too sudden and your body could have anxiety from withdrawing. Medication might be the best solution for you, but I suggest seeing a real good psychiatrist instead of a family doctor... find someone that really cares if you have not already. Counseling and talking about it to someone also could really help... heck there is even hypnotherapy. I don't know, just throwing out suggestions.

When I was going through my most intense anxiety/panic I also felt verrrrrrry detached. I think it is because the brain is so overloaded with anxiety that it needs to separate ourselves from it as much as possible. I didn't feel like myself, I felt like it was so consuming that it made me act like a blank slate because I could not deal with it. The alternative for me now is less detachment but a more heightened state most days, lights are really intense, sounds are louder, I am more jumpy. It is basically fight or flight which is a natural occurrence but I am in fight or flight mode during normal situations.

When did your anxiety become really noticeable? How old are you now? Do you know what might be the cause before medication? Are there external stressors that you can identify and lessen?
Posted 12/15/2009 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
When did your anxiety become really noticeable? How old are you now? Do you know what might be the cause before medication? Are there external stressors that you can identify and lessen?

Well I am 24 yr old male, and I guess I've always kind of dealt with social anxiety.  Not to any extremes, I have my close friends that I go out and get drunk with and have a good time with, well used to drink with atleast.  But it was always hard meeting new people and accepting them into friendships and what not.

The cause before I started taking the medicine?  Well I can start by telling you that I was upset working with my family business in the summer bc it didnt allow me to go out and enjoy the summer so I decided I wanted to finish up my last 2 years of college.  I signed up for 18 credits while still working full time with the family business, about 45 hours a week.  about a month into this routine in the middle of my communications class I started getting this really bad tension headache, was finding it nearly impossible to focus on what was going on in clasass, couldn't keep up with the conversations, started getting nervous, hands were shaking more then normal and my feet were shaking.  I just got up and left, even the walk to the car I could hear the sounds of cars passing were all messed up too.

External stressors?  Maybe the fact that I live and work at home?  I dont know, might need to make a move and move out or something.  Hopefully you can read this message this ambiens kickin in nice lol

Posted 12/15/2009 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
HI great tp see u connectong with ppl here i knew you would..i really do think you need some professional guidance mike you had a brutal attack against your person and that has to be life altering..maybe i am wrong i dont know i know that i hv become more staying in withdrawn not the same person my daughter grew up around since the losses of mom n dad n my hubby cheating my life altering hospital stay all these things have greatly taken a toll on me..i did just yesterday keep my promise and go to a couples re doing of their vows and reception made it threw deaf n all danced and ate like a fool lol am paying for that today with crohns issues but omg it felt so dang good to be around ppl againn tere i thought i was going to mk ppl uncomfy with not being able to hear..imagine my surprise and the love that filled my heart when the ppl all had lil notebooks to write to me at the tables in reception..yes i cried like a very big baby..but it made me see they all missed me n loved me unonditionally and these days thats so hard to come by imho the pmly other plaqce i hv gelt that is here..n when parents were alive.....mike many ppl feel like you n they will continue to share n open up on how they deal with it i am SO glad you found healing well...STAY WITH US take care friend ,,,lyn

also do some readimg on depersonalization derealization just my opinion ..hv  u thought of getting some neuroligal testing done as well...

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