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What can be causing this awful anxiety this time?

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Posted 10/5/2014 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have been posting alot recently, especially since my anxiety is at an all time high....and I can't figure out why. Yes, there are a few factors that could enter into it...being retired after 40 years of working, fear of getting older and facing possible health issues (I'm a huge health anxiety sufferer and have a paralyzing fear of docs and tests) but I've had many worse situations in life that haven't made my anxiety/panic this bad. I am wondering what physical things can be the cause of alot of anxiety? Things like low potassium or other chemicals, certain diseases, etc. I KNOW I will have to go to a doctor soon (it's been soooo long) and at the very least have bloodwork done to rule out thyroid or something like that but the fear of having those tests and the possible answers just throw me into a worse state. Any suggestions on what could be causing this daily anxiety? I can't seem to get it off my mind which even makes me feel worse. As I've mentioned in other posts, I've been on a very low dose of Xanax for many years but always took it just in the morning when I felt the worst. Now I'm sometimes taking it two or three times a day and it does work, but only for a short period. Others on this site have commented on it and suggest I find something else more long lasting and that's fine but right now I just am wondering what other physical factors could be contributing to this awful anxiety. I trust you folks more than any psychiatrist out there....you have such wonderful insights on things so I'm looking for advice from those with real experience.
Posted 10/5/2014 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
I think the only way to put you anxiety to ease is to go get the bloodwork done. When I got my bloodwork done back in May, when my anxiety was near unbearable, it did show that my thyroid was out of whack. They proceeded to test my levels for the next six weeks, and my levels finally were back into "normal" range (barely). Now I have no clue if that had anything to do with my anxiety breakout, but it was quite a coincidence...
I have had three anxiety "episodes" over the last ten years. The latter of the two had absolutely no reason for it. That is something I struggled with in therapy. Trying find that reason, that cause, the root. I still, to this day, have never found it. And I have to be okay with the fact that there might not be a deep seated reason for my anxiety.
While I am waiting out this most recent bout, I too am on xanax. I also take an anti anxiety medication by the name of buspar. I don't think the buspar does too much for my anxiety, but I do feel like it gives me a better outlook. I was prescribed xanax 3x daily to get me out of the panic cycle, and for that it worked. i dropped my dose way down, but if I have a setback, I do up it for a while. I know klonopin Is a longer acting benzo and you might want to look into that. For me, I like having xanax because I am more of a panicker, so I like the fast acting properties of that.
I think eventually we will all find what works for us with our anxiety. It's just so hard cause what works for one doesn't work for us all. That's why this forum is great!!
Posted 10/5/2014 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your kind reply, Mom...so much of what you say applies to me exactly....I'm a panicker but that anxiety that's three almost 24/7 lately puts a cloud over everything. I will get tested just to make sure it's nothing else though...I'm WAY overdue and i am getting up there in age. With all the things I've read negatively about Xanax from a few people, it does make me worry but i have to say it does seem to help, however brief. I think I will ramp up to 2-3 times a day cuz I'm only taking half of the .5mg anyway. I'll let you know if it helps. Thanks again and be well.
Posted 10/5/2014 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Andwes, I can't remember if you mentioned using meds but a suitable AD for you will really help balancing brain chemicals, which are the main culprit behind anxiety related issues.
I know you are just like me, a HA sufferer, but trust me even though the first 2-3 weeks are tough with ADs because of increased anxiety, it's worth continuing. They make great difference.

If this is going to make you feel better, I always believe if a person didn't get a bothering sickness till the age of 60 (sorry don't know how old you are :) ), that means their genes are sort of OK and they have a good working immune system and a tough body. For your daily anxiety, do regular breathing techniques. Even temporarily, they will help.

You can try trusting your own body and system, that is a tactic I try to use against HA from time to time, I try to remember the long living elderly in my entire family. I know of course, one can never know but the chances are low :) Though, I understand you I am freaking out myself when I get a bodily change and symptom.
Try to relax a bit, all will be fine. Believe in yourself <3 Take your tests and when you get the good results, aahhhh, that feeling :)

Edit: PS: Camomile tea, I use if I feel very tense because of anxiety, because it makes all muscles soft and relaxed. Which will reduce the chance of you getting muscle pain so that you don't relate them with anything later.

Post Edited (Rrakkma) : 10/5/2014 8:16:32 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/5/2014 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey andwes,

Did you recently retire? That shift of pace / lifestyle alone may be adding a significant amount of anxiety to your daily life. Try to pay attention to your breathing too, to see if you're getting full breaths throughout the day. And then finally, adding magnesium does help...for me at least. Peanuts are high in magnesium, as are Epsom salt baths. And if you can, find a routine that is comfortable for you throughout the day. Something that you can rely on to bring a comfortable pace into your day.

Not knowing you personally though, I can't really speak to what will truly help you. These are just things I know help my anxiety!

Cheers!
Posted 10/5/2014 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much all of you....you are all such kind and caring people. Yes I'm up there - 67, feeling 25 in some ways and people tell me I look alot younger. So you're right....I should take comfort in the fact that I've been healthy most of my life but having that HA mentality, I feel like I MUST have something by now since I'm getting old! Oh how we make ourselves suffer. Anyway, you make alot of sense and I am going to try and work on it. I feel better right at the moment just because my 23 year old son just got back home with his two buddies and I enjoy their company so much. They are truly great guys. Of course they were just here enough time for my son to change his clothes (they went to the casino last night) and now they're going to watch football. But being around that youthful, positive group wears off a little on me too - then of course they leave and within an hour I'll probably be riddled with anxiety....ugh. I'm going to keep taking my Xanax for now because they do help somewhat...but maybe on more of a schedule, like once in morning, once in evening. I had been taking one recently whenever anxiety got overwhelming....never more than three times a day but at varying times so don't know if I was doing myself a disservice or not. Then I'm going to get bloodwork done, try to walk more, and work hard on positive thinking. At least that's my plan at the moment. Check back with me later...I might be in anxiety prison...ha ha.
Posted 10/5/2014 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Andwes

Sounds like you have an awesome plan!

After reading your post, it sounded to me like you answered your own question. You have a lot going on right now.... Just recently retired, concerned about getting older and are worried about your health. That would probably trigger anxiety in me as well.

You mentioned that you are getting blood work done. Great news! You can rule out anything medical and then jump right back on the anxiety train.

Congratulations on your retirement! It may take some time to adjust but take comfort in the fact that the best years of your life just may be ahead of you ;)

I always read your posts..... So looking forward to hearing your progress. Hugs!

Post Edited (Cornell) : 10/5/2014 12:22:58 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/5/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto to what Cornell said! Major life changes, even happy/good ones, can absolutely awaken the beast again!!!

Get your blood work done. I about ran to get mine done (and I get anxiety from getting blood drawn) bc I was hoping it'd show something to explain this all. Nope! All levels were good & normal (except cholesterol but I'm working on that one w/o meds). Nothing physical to explain why my anxiety was back.

Mine was triggered by my ONLY 3 friends in the city I live, moving within months of eachother! One was my bff and her moving sent me over the edge.

My niece is an OB/GYN resident physician and I asked her about hormones as we as women lose estrogen as we age, what would help the mental stuff associated with that. I was hoping there was a natural supplement but she said none FDA approved and suggested Effexor, an antidepressant! Jeez lol.

I digress, Cornell is right. You basically answered your own question- life changes! It's not predictable sometimes how we react to them. When my dad died unexpectedly 6 yrs ago, I always assumed I'd lose it when a parent passed. I did NOT! I didn't get depressed or anxious?! Of course I had sadness and cried for months but I functioned and it did not affect my quality of life. Fast forward to this year and I have friends move away and I broke down! No rhyme or reason sometimes.

Have you considered an antidepressant? We are all afraid to start meds but boy, when we get the right one, it's bliss! I also see a psychotherapist and am looking forward to delving into root causes and solutions.

Hugs!

Lisa
Posted 10/5/2014 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Lesweet - I plan to consider AD's if I can't get passed this current anxiety episode. Usually I can eventually conquer them and they pass for quite awhile and this one has been building for a long time and been worse than any I can remember. I think when we feel this way long enough, we'll try anything.

I'm sorry about your dad but glad you were able to handle it well. And sorry about your friends moving away. I have six girlfriends I've known since high school and we're like sisters. One lives in California but the others are here and I don't know WHAT I would do without them....being together is about the only time my anxiety goes away completely! So I certainly can relate to how you're feeling. Are they at least close enough that you could visit once in awhile? Wow, that's a rough one and certainly a reason for anxiety! Well, I know it' not the same but all of us here ARE your friends, can relate to whatever you throw at us and probably have suffered the same things you are at times. Stay strong and keep posting....it's so nice to have such a great circle of supportive, understanding new friends that we can contact any time we need or want to.
Posted 10/5/2014 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
And thank you, Cornell, for the kind thoughts. I am going to the ophthalmologist on Oct 30th because I'm quite sure,from all the symptoms, that I have a cataract (although usually I believe it's a giant cancerous tumor behind my eye...lol) so if I have to have surgery, I'm SURE she'll require me to have a physical....now THAT will throw me right over the edge, as I have a paralyzing fear of doctors, offices, hospitals, etc. The bloodwork won't bother me, other than imagining I have every disease known to man in the results...lol again, but the rest of the physical will require my taking double Xanax and having four people accompany me so I'll have someone catch me when I faint. Maybe THIS is why I'm having anxiety....knowing that this is all coming my way. I think I push it out of my mind most of the time but I guess that's when the anxiety pops out. So I'm sure you poor folks will have to listen to me whine alot more in the near future!!!
Posted 10/5/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Lesweet - I plan to consider AD's if I can't get passed this current anxiety episode. Usually I can eventually conquer them and they pass for quite awhile and this one has been building for a long time and been worse than any I can remember. I think when we feel this way long enough, we'll try anything.

I'm sorry about your dad but glad you were able to handle it well. And sorry about your friends moving away. I have six girlfriends I've known since high school and we're like sisters. One lives in California but the others are here and I don't know WHAT I would do without them....being together is about the only time my anxiety goes away completely! So I certainly can relate to how you're feeling. Are they at least close enough that you could visit once in awhile? Wow, that's a rough one and certainly a reason for anxiety! Well, I know it' not the same but all of us here ARE your friends, can relate to whatever you throw at us and probably have suffered the same things you are at times. Stay strong and keep posting....it's so nice to have such a great circle of supportive, understanding new friends that we can contact any time we need or want to.
Posted 10/5/2014 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thank-You Andwes!

Yeah, my bff who moved has been through everything we all struggle with too so she was my "safe" person I could call late at night or buzz over to her house if I needed to get out. I have a loving husband but let's face it, we NEED our girlfriends too! At least I do lol. We still talk or text daily but it's certainly not the same as living 5 minutes away or calling spontaneously and saying "hey I'm going to Target, wanna come with me?" sad

The closest one is a 2 hour drive. On the interstate. I hate interstates. I avoid them. Plus I have a form of agoraphobia that makes me uneasy leaving my "safe area" (I stick to the side of the large city I live in lol), so driving 2 hrs is a huge source of discomfort which made the moves all the worse. I am planning on getting down there one way or the other but it's going to take some hard effort ony end. It's just not the same sad sad sad (you can whine all you want and I'll whine with you lol).

Hugs!

Lisa
Posted 10/6/2014 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
andwes,

my fear of docs ,hospitals is making me more sick and depressed that usual.

i fell today and anxiety skyrocketed as I did not get medical help (ER) AND stayed home and inpain and ate advil .

my pain is travelling to every site now and making me headache and nausea .

but i am planning to go if it gets worsens .
enough about me sorry
sometimes timely help is needed .staying with your son makes you feel better so try it often.

but i am so stubborn. cry

think you should change your script from xanax to something different but i am no doc.

for some reason i don't like xanax.

sad
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