Cant live like this anymore

Hi Vee,

First off, welcome to the boards. I am so glad that you have made this step to get support, and I know that everyone here will offer you love and support in this trying time.

I know that having regular attacks is very scary, but the first thing to remember with anxiety is that the worst thing that will ever happen is that you are just going to get very, very afraid. You won't die, you won't contract a disease, you'll just get afraid. I have found that one bit of knowledge to help me out a lot when I'm particularly bad off.

I also believe that if klonopin was helping you, you should talk with your doctor about it again. After all, it is your choice what medicines you take or do not take, and if something was helping your GAD and panic attacks I would suggest getting back on it. I am not a doctor, I do not know the reasons why he took you off klonopin and replaced it with anti-depressants, but I do not believe that anti-depressants help with anxiety (I am sure someone else on the forum has more insight into this that I personally do). Seeing as psychiatrist can be very helpful, but if you are not comfortable with the one you are currently seeing, or not ready to stop taking klonopin (as it clearly seems you were not), then maybe try Cognative Behavior Therapy? I know that most CBTs suggest for you to not be on medication, but doing the CBT therapy as well as on medication has helped a lot of people.

I'm sorry that I have no advice or wisdom on the hypothyroid, but perhaps see if there is another medication to help with that and go over all of your options with your doctor if the meds are having such an adverse affect.

Just know that there is hope, and that you do not have to continue to live this way. There are so many help lines out there, and it's wonderful that you've taken one of them by coming here. Please continue to update and ask questions, we're all here for you and know what you are going through.

--All the best,
Em

I totally understand how reassuring it is just to have someone reply to you. I felt exactly the same way when I first posted, so you are entirely welcome =)

I also don't know much about benzos, but I have heard that coming off of them can be awful --same with SSRI's (had a friend go through this and he said it was almost worse than the original anxiety). As far as I know, anti-depressants are prescribed because they affect the seratonin levels in our brain and that can be good for treating anxiety as well. The happier you are the better you feel, right? lol But medications affect everyone differently, of course, and there is no one right thing for everyone with anxiety to take, as I'm sure you well know.
I highly recommend talking to your doctor about it, especially if he did not give a clear reason as to why he was switching you from klonopin to an antidepressant.

I also understand the OCD (for about a while I was constantly checking both my pulse and my temperature), but I believe that is just a side affect of the anxiety --it was for me, at least. The more control I've gotten over my anxiety, the less I feel the need to constantly check my vitals. I also used to get palpitations and skipped heart beats quite a bit during the height of my anxiety, as well as chest pain and body twitches, and some other choice symptoms. They are nothing to worry about though, I can promise you that. It feels awful thinking that something is wrong with your heart, but I learned early on that anything your body can experience or mimic, anxiety will make it happen. The range of symptoms is so long and diverse and different for everyone that there's no end to the amount of things that anxiety can cause your body to do.

This is an article on the "flight or flight" reaction that occurs when we are anxious, and how panic attacks occur. For me, the more knowledge I got about the biological side of anxiety, the more it helped me to understand that I was healthy and secure, just scared. http://stresscourse.tripod.com/id11.html


Things will get better, just breathe. =)

--Em

Scaredy Cat.... Thank you. Ive never joined a group before so I'm looking forward to hopefully meeting others just like me. As far as the PVCs go, I think they don't want to give me anything because my resting heart rate is already on the low end, and this may slow it down even further.

I'm a mess. Checking your pulse 200 times a day cannot be normal. How do I stop? I used to check my BP all day long. Maybe 25 times a day. It got SO out of hand that I threw it away. I still check my BP at the local pharmacy at least every other day, but my heder is attached to me! How do I stop?! :(

Living with this increased level of anxiety is ruining my life! I can barely go outside most days and when I do, it's so bad!

See, this very moment my chest doesn't feel right! It's "tight" and "full". I hate this!!!!!

S.C. I thank you. I saw the psychotherapist for six months. I recently stopped going because it became expensive taking a cab there and back every week. I don't work because of my anxiety and simply cannot take a train or bus without having a meltdown. I have three kids. 14,9, and 1. They are my joy and the only thing that keeps me going.

As far as meds. My phsychistrist will not give me Xanax or klonopin or anything o the sort. I DID feel like he pulled the rug from under me, but no matter what I say he says that I just need a good anti-depressant. :/

Dennisse.....
I Titakky understand! I was taking Xanax when u found out I was pregnant and had to stop. It was SO bad! I can't explain. After Xanax and the pregnancy , I was on klonopin. .5mg twice a day. That was the perfect dose for me! Then, I decided to see a psychiatrist and a pshycotherapist, and the psychiatrist TOOK AWAY my klonopin! I was so upset. He said whatever time I will just build a tolerance and that for long term usage he prefers anti-depressants. Needless to say, I haven't had a klonopin or anything of the sort in about six months.

I still suffer panic attacks regularly,,,,, upwards of 10 times a week and have anxiety all day long. I understand completely!!!! Glad to be on here as well!!!!

Hi Veestarlet,
I have a friend who also goes through the same hurdles.
I think you can adapt what she did.
First, realize this truth- Jesus said that we must not worry at all because we cannot even extend our lives not even for an hour. Death and life comes from God alone. It is hard to do it, but it is the wisest thing to do.

She cannot go out of her house alone without her husband, she left her day jobs because she is afraid to faint or to die. She had medical problems in the past but even though she is healed totally, she still fears a lot.

Now, she is recovering slowly. First, she walks few meters away from her house, then, slowly progress to few blocks. I think, it is helpful to be like a runner who only aims for one block at a time until she reaches the finish line.

You know yourself better than anybody does,so help yourself get through with it. It may take you few weeks to months, but it will not take you a year until you are free from it. You may keep a diary of your progress. And I hope, you will also keep a bible, it will be worth to read the book of Psalms.

Trust is so hard to give, so hard to nurture, but we can always try. Trusting Jesus Christ is worth it all.

God loves you.