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Posted 3/8/2012 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
my counselor finally told me my diagnosis after almost a year of seeing her she said I have generalized anxiety disorder a severe form of it. Could this be causing pain issues with fibro?Just wondering because I was diagnosed with that too.I have chest pain alot and foot numbness and a feeling of something sticking in my throat. I  have trouble falling asleep at night because I hear my own heart beat or I can't block out the noise and light from the tv(my husband needs it to fall asleep and he won't budge on the issue).I have had loads of tests blood and otherswise from almost every doctor there is.My neurologist put me on cymbalta and my counselor agreed with the decision..I am afraid of the side effects of cymbalta can anyone tell me their experiences with it.
Posted 3/8/2012 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey nana

Yes GAD can cause aches and soreness from the constant muscle tension that we often unconsciously hold in our bodies...and of course this would only exacerbate your fibro issues as well.:(

The sensation of something stuck in your throat is actually another common anxiety symptom called globus. I had this problem as well. Keeping water, or tea with you and sipping on it all day helps. So does a throat lozenge or hard candy, or gum. I also did this exercise to loosen the throat muscles that affect swallowing. I would tilt my head back and let my mouth hang open for a few seconds, several times a day...not very attactive, but it did the trick;p

I hope that the therapy and medication will give you a lot of relief soon. Keep posting here as well...we understand and are listening!

S.C.
Posted 3/9/2012 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
thank you I have lived with this and panic disorder since I was 14 plus other issues like depersonalization. Sometimes I just want to be at a normal place. If something doesn't look right in its package I won't eat it a mint disc has to be perfectly round with no bumps on it or the plastic package can't be puckered at the ends...had that problem since I was twelve and the tylenol incident I saw on tv...that year......I can't use casules...and absolutely anything that could have respiratory side effects is a no no..I try not to look med. side effects up but I still do that's why I have a hard time taking the anxiety meds cause some of them I've read depress the respiratory system and I had respiratory failure in 2010 and I have post traumatic stress disorder still from the two week long coma night mares.
Posted 3/9/2012 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
GAD and panic attack can certainly give you all kinds of problem and sensations. After living with it for a few years, I had almost gone through all kinds of sensation there is such as chest pain, GERD, numbness, tingling, racing heart, palpitations, high blood pressures and many more, which sent me to the ER many times, so we can all relate to how you felt.
as for Cymbolta, my doctor put me on it once but I was not able to tolerate it. I was on the lowest dose and it made me very dizzy and weak. my doctor told me Cymbolta was suppose to be a very good medication which treats anxiety and chronic pain. Doctor put me on it because I have both, but too bad I was not able to tolerate it. Give it a try to see it work so for you or not, everyone reacts to meds differently. if it doesn't work out for you, there are many other medications that treats anxiety. hope you feel better
Posted 3/9/2012 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
I was like that with celexa but it may have been dose related..40 mg. It made me have more panic attacks. Have you tried any non medicine therapies? I guess I'm asking if I can ever be rid of this without medications
Posted 3/9/2012 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
nana,

I have been living with anxiety for 30 years and I did very well for 24 years with therapy, medication and be keeping busy.  I do not know why certain things trigger our anxiety to kick into high gear but what I do know is that it takes a lot of energy to keep on working at controlling anxiety. 

When my anxiety is up I feel fearful, ashamed and insecure because of it. I am missing out on great parties, socializing, friends, relationships and basically on enjoying my  life! Coping with and dealing with your condition is an up hill battle but you can be victorious. Never give up and  never give in !

We know what your going through so keep on talking with us.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 3/9/2012 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
lack of sleep and stress seem to trigger it. I had it under control for a number of years til about a year after I got married. It started to get hard to try to choose between my husband and kids(which I will always choose the kids)Not to be mean to him but he knew getting into this that I had kids and grandbabies. He would like it if they hardly ever came over or when he decided that he had nothing to do. He is away doing his thing most of the time and I enjoy having them around because my daughter is going to college(in her last year) to be an lpn they are here 4 days a week(only 2 hours of him being home).The babies would be sad if they didn't see me and I'd be lonely. He has always been on the go and goes places I can't like to peoples houses that smoke(I had resp. failure)and can't be around it. He goes to work at seven or eight comes home goes and smokes with someone and either one lays down and watches tv or as of lately goes away for hours and also been staying out real late on saturday night. If he would tell me lets go do something I would be happy too but it seems like he wants me to be at home just waiting for him without company or the babies and I enjoy them. This is a sore subject for the two of us.
Posted 3/9/2012 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
My marriage contributes to much of my anxiety as well.:( There are some trust issues from past circumstances that continue to be a challenge.

I have learned that I need to not internalize the behaviour of others, and to try to not let external things affect me so much. Our health and recovery are too important to let them go by the wayside...so I am glad to read that you are still continuing to do the things that you love with your family.:)

Keep up the good work, and I hope that you start to feel better all around very soon!

S.C.
Posted 3/10/2012 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi nana68

Good to meet you I have GAD along with other things so can relate to what you are going through. I also find that stress and lack of sleep makes my anxiety worse and harder to control. I tend to have a good and bad periods and at the moment I am not good at all.

I have never been on Cymbolta but have heard good things about it have you ever done CBT? I found that helped me deal better with the symptoms of anxiety as it helped me identify the triggers. Keep us informed on how you are doing we are here for you.

Hibee
Posted 3/10/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
my counselor said we are doing cbt but she spends alot of time talking about her issues so is that what cbt is?
Posted 3/10/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
No, your therapist talking about herself is certainly not CBT! She should be giving you worksheets to record your thoughts and feelings, and homework to do, like journaling-type exercises to help redirect your fearful thinking patterns.

In our Anxiety Resource Guide, we have CBT downloads (worksheets) of the type that you should be doing. Maybe give them a look...and even bring some in to her so that she knows this is the type of thing you would like to be doing.

If she is not working out for you, I would kindly suggest shopping around for a new person to work with! You deserve a therapist who is committed to helping you.:)

S.C.
Posted 3/10/2012 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
I've had gad since childhood I believe though its been worse through my adolescence and into early adulthood (this was also when I suffered from anorexia nervosa, just rounding the bend on that one). I have been on a lot of medication, most of them useless however cymbalta was one that actually worked for me. everyone was different though so unfortunately trying different types is often the only way. I work with my therapist using an acceptance and commitment therapy (act). I've done cbt when I was younger and it didnt work for me at all. Act has certainly allowed me to make small steps with my anorexia recovery and I'm hoping it'll help manage my anxiety too eventually.
Posted 3/11/2012 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi mlola and welcome!

I am glad that you are starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together with your meds and therapy regarding the E.D. and anxiety.:)

I am not familiar with act...I will have to read up on it! I hope that you continue to do well with it.

Feel free to post with us anytime, and even start a new topic thread of introduction for yourself if you feel comfortable doing so.

Again welcome, and know that this is a place where you will be hear and understood.:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/11/2012 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
Only thing with cymbalta is the dosage sizes, and the fact that they come in capsules. i think the smallest dose is 30mg? or something, and it is hard to take any less cause you cant break them in half really since they aren't tablets. This can make it hard to get off eventually if you have withdrawal symptoms and need to taper.
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