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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 13:20:02
It's my birthday today and I'm having horrible anxiety. I've been having headaches on the left side of my head and this morning I woke up and my tongue felt tingling and swollen. It went away but it's still bothering me because I feel like I have a brain tumor or something that the dr. hasn't noticed. It's awful. I'm on lexapro which has been very successful and i take xanex during an attack but today i just can't shake it! Has anybody felt any of this? Can somebody help me?
Posted by Spriggy on March 1, 2005, at 15:33:23
In reply to HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 13:20:02
Okay... first, WATCH how you are breathing. Make sure you are taking SLOW, deep breathes from your abdomen and NOT your chest. Typically, when a panic attack or anxiety hits, you begin to breathe rapidly through your chest.. that's a big NO NO. It makes it much worse.
Just slowing down and breathing properly can help bring down adrenaline.
So take a deep breathe through your belly, count to 4, let it go on the count of 4 slowly.
Okay... now... A few things:
1) how long have you been on the Lexapro? I ask this because I also have had panic attacks and Lexapro made me much worse.
2) Have you taken your Xanex? If not, take it. I used to be so afraid of using it up or becoming addicted that I would just suffer through the day. You have it there for a reason... you need it right now, allow yourself to take it.
3) GET YOUR MIND OFF OF THIS.. I know that's easier said than done, but go find a book to read, watch something on tv, or even count backwards from 100.
Doing all of the above helps me.
Pray and pray hard. Find someone to come over and be with you to talk with you and get you preoccupied.
For goodness sakes, it your birthday. You need to be enjoying yourself.
I hope you are okay by now and having a big ole piece of chocolate cake!!
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2005, at 16:31:09
In reply to Re: HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by Spriggy on March 1, 2005, at 15:33:23
Happy Birthday! Do you like Birthdays or are you getting older and not looking forward to them? If so this could be adding to your anxiety. Try the things Spriggy advises. These are good techniques for anxiety attacks. Also, take your xanax. Do you have plans for the day or are you alone? Hope you feel better. Again Happy Birthday! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 17:29:34
In reply to Re: HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2005, at 16:31:09
I usually LOVE my birthday! And today didn't seem any different. I was at work earlier when the attack started which is highly unusual (I rarely get attacks at work) I did do my breathing exercises but it just seemed like nothing was helping. I also did take 1 xanex which calmed me for a while but I feel it creeping back up on me and a headache that won't seem to go all the way away. It comes and goes. I just don't know what's triggering this, it's usually a very happy day for me. :-(
Posted by Spriggy on March 1, 2005, at 17:43:52
In reply to Re: HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 17:29:34
Could you be coming down with something? flu or such?
I know whenever my body gets physically sick (especially if I get a fever), I get so anxious and feel horrible.
Posted by FredPotter on March 1, 2005, at 17:51:37
In reply to Re: HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 17:29:34
Melanie they say with this abdominal breathing thing that the exhale should be longer than the inhale. Like in for 7 out for 11. I find Xanax helps with certain kinds of fear but not all. I hope you feel better soon
Fred
Posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 17:52:02
In reply to Re: HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by Spriggy on March 1, 2005, at 17:43:52
I don't know- I was kinda thinking that. My husband has a little cold and my ears are kinda bothering me, just like the headache. Do other people that have anxiety seem to have it elevate when they're getting sick? I just feel so foggy. I don't want to complain about it at home because nobody else here knows what it's like to have ancxiety. So I feel like oh great- if it's not one thing it's another.
Posted by Spriggy on March 1, 2005, at 18:34:41
In reply to Re: HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 17:52:02
I would almost bet you are coming down with a bug of some sort.
I feel the EXACT same way anytime I'm getting sick.Take 2 tyleonl and call me in the morning.
J/K
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2005, at 18:56:35
In reply to Re: HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by Spriggy on March 1, 2005, at 18:34:41
Are you hanging up your "Shingle". Fondly, Phillipa PS From now on you're Spriggy, MD!
Posted by JaneB on March 1, 2005, at 19:04:27
In reply to HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 13:20:02
How long have you been on the Lexapro and at what dose? I hope and pray you feel better now and that you have had a great birthday.
I will tell you that I had a lot of left-sided headaches when I was on Lexapro. I also started getting black floating spots in my eyes. Now I don't want to scare you but I want you to know what happened to me just in case the headaches continue. I have not had the same type headache since I stopped the Lexapro. FYI
> It's my birthday today and I'm having horrible anxiety. I've been having headaches on the left side of my head and this morning I woke up and my tongue felt tingling and swollen. It went away but it's still bothering me because I feel like I have a brain tumor or something that the dr. hasn't noticed. It's awful. I'm on lexapro which has been very successful and i take xanex during an attack but today i just can't shake it! Has anybody felt any of this? Can somebody help me?
Posted by cherylann on March 1, 2005, at 21:14:27
In reply to HELP- anixety attack!!!, posted by melanie_d on March 1, 2005, at 13:20:02
There must be some sort of brain trigger, but the minute I start getting sick (even before I realize it myself) the panic sets in. It's happened enough now that I know it'll go away. I just use my klonopin and stay away from alcohol. You should use your xanax.
Right now I've got the worst flu/plague I've ever had and I'm depressed and panicky. But, I know by now it will pass. Try napping if you are sick, you need the rest anyway and it'll pass the time. If not, keeping moving helps me. Fold laundry, sweep etc. Hey, go shopping! It's your birthday after all!
Happy Birthday to you!
best wishes,
cherylann
Posted by melanie_d on March 2, 2005, at 13:09:35
In reply to Re: headache » melanie_d, posted by JaneB on March 1, 2005, at 19:04:27
I've been on Lex for about a 1 1/2 years and it's been wonderful! I can't thing of the dose right now but i know it's pretty low. Usually i only have anxiety during my menstrual cycle but yesterday and today have been BAD and I'm no where near that time of the month. Today I feel exhausted and depressed. I just wish i could figure out what's going on. Has anybody else had bad setbacks after this long???
Posted by Spriggy on March 2, 2005, at 13:44:40
In reply to Re: headache/ Lexapro setback, posted by melanie_d on March 2, 2005, at 13:09:35
It could possibly be pooping out on you since you've been on it that long.
OR, maybe you just need your dosage upped since you are on a low dose.
The stuff was toxic for me but if it's helping you, maybe just go up to higher dose.
Posted by melanie_d on March 2, 2005, at 13:47:34
In reply to Re: headache/ Lexapro setback, posted by Spriggy on March 2, 2005, at 13:44:40
may i ask what you are currently on? Zoloft was horrible for me, I became emotionless COMPLETELY. Lexapro doesn't do that as bad.
This is the end of the thread.
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