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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
Hey all
Haven't been posting much lately, mainly because I've been in such a bad way :(
Anyway to cut a long story short I've been suffering from GAD for the last few years due to my stupid missues of Dexedrine during my finals.
For the last three years Anxiety has dogged me, which has really brought me down since I never had a problem before!
Whats really bugging me is that my Anxiety seems to be getting worse!
I'm not afraid of anything particularly, I'm just paralised with panic.Nothing seems to work except Benzo's and Opiates, even the might Nardil doesn't do much at 75mgs
Please can someone give me some help, and advice
What could be causing my anxiety?
Are there any physical conditions that cause this kind of anxiety?
Posted by tensor on November 22, 2006, at 14:50:11
In reply to Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help!, posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
Have you talked to your pdoc? Do you have benzos until you can see a (p)doc?
Posted by Lindenblüte on November 22, 2006, at 15:59:09
In reply to Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help!, posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
Hi Tom,
I'm sorry you're feeling :(Sometimes anxiety feeds off of anxiety. You're anxious because you're feeling anxious, and you don't know the cause, or a source of relief.
First of all, you should talk to someone in real life. Get some support, and have a conversation. A friend, a therapist, a relative-- anyone who cares for you.
Do you know what is triggering this anxiety? Be honest with yourself, and try to think deeply about it. It's important to do this kind of introspection in a place where you feel safe. I take my computer to a cafe sometimes and write all kinds of crap in my journal. Even when I'm writing about really DARK stuff, I know that I would never allow myself to "freak out" in public, so staying near people keeps me safe from myself.
When you learn a little bit more about what triggers this physiological/psychological response, you can learn more about avoiding triggers, dealing with triggers more effectively, and managing how you interpret and respond to stressful circumstances.
For relief of muscle tension (a lot of times we tense our postural muscles under stress), you could try taking hot bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts. The Mg will be absorbed by your skin, and has a soothing, relaxing effect on body and mind.
Other things that help me are doing something methodical- like cooking, practicing calligraphy, building models, ironing, cleaning house.
Strenuous exercise will help your body by giving you an outlet for agitation, while stimulating release of endogenous opiates and cannabinoids.
Get out and run around the block, or do jumping jacks for 10 minutes.
Are you taking any stimulants, such as caffeine? You may want to cut WAY back, as these will make minor anxiety FEEL like the volume's been turned up to panic.
Finally, just making an appt. with my pdoc, my academic advisor, or even my regular doc will often set my mind at ease.
One common source of anxious feelings is hyperthyroidism. You probably know this already, but if you are losing weight, having trouble sleeping, and feel agitated-type anxiety, it maybe worthwhile to get your thyroid levels checked. Perhaps it's time to have a general physical, to detect anything out of the ordinary, and/or put your mind at ease that you are basically in fine shape.
Maybe your body or mind is trying to tell you something. Try to listen to it first, before you take benzos or other med changes.
best to you,
-Li
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 22, 2006, at 20:59:29
In reply to Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help!, posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
go to your doc
get enough buspar for one month
only one month
get ready to gain a few pounds
you will get a rest from the constant anxiety and have a chance to regroupbreathe
yell someplace private
put your covers over your head
take warm baths
be
kind to youself
good luck
Posted by Phillipa on November 22, 2006, at 21:17:57
In reply to Re: Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help! » Tom Twilight, posted by Lindenblüte on November 22, 2006, at 15:59:09
Hypothroidism causes the same thing. When my TSH was 22 I thought I would jump out of my skin. I was given synthroid and extra benzos for a while. And you work at a hospital get a blood test in the ER. Love Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 23, 2006, at 13:03:07
In reply to Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help!, posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
Tom, hey I think you have tried Seroquel if I am not mistaken. If not, then try some. It has done wonders for my anxiety, but there are tradeoffs. It makes me more sleepy and tired, which as a result makes me more exposed to depression. But I deal with depression much better than anxiety. Anxiety ravages me.
With Seroquel, the anxiety has disappeared for now. It is the only thing that really nailed the anxiety out of 30+ meds over 10 years. It's like being shot with an elephant dart.
Posted by Lindenblüte on November 24, 2006, at 16:38:19
In reply to Re: Have you tried Seroquel?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 23, 2006, at 13:03:07
I wanted to add that it took me 2 weeks to get used to taking seroquel 300mg, but since then, I don't feel fatigued (unless I stay up too late, or drink alcohol the night before).
If your anxiety comes in the form of repetitive rumniative thoughts, seroquel will make it "shut up". A miracle, truly.
-Li
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 20:28:47
In reply to Re: Have you tried Seroquel? » UgottaHaveHope, posted by Lindenblüte on November 24, 2006, at 16:38:19
Well watch the alchohol as they don't go together. Love Phillipa
Posted by ace on November 24, 2006, at 20:57:01
In reply to Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help!, posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
> Hey all
>
> Haven't been posting much lately, mainly because I've been in such a bad way :(I'm sorry to here this. When I varely rarely now cycle into a depressive issue, I can't post at all.
>
> Anyway to cut a long story short I've been suffering from GAD for the last few years due to my stupid missues of Dexedrine during my finals.Can you elucidate to these 'misuses'?
> For the last three years Anxiety has dogged me, which has really brought me down since I never had a problem before!That's totally understandable. It's easier said than done, but please keep a positve frame of mind, knowing that you can beat this.
> Whats really bugging me is that my Anxiety seems to be getting worse!
> I'm not afraid of anything particularly, I'm just paralised with panic.
>
> Nothing seems to work except Benzo's and Opiates, even the might Nardil doesn't do much at 75mgs
>
> Please can someone give me some help, and advice
> What could be causing my anxiety?
> Are there any physical conditions that cause this kind of anxiety?Yes, there can be physical problems. You should have a FULL physical to rule out possible somatic pathologies.
If all tests are NAD, we are looking at a psychiatric d/o. I believe personally no physical factor, as such, is behind this. I believe your brain is! But that is physical! We just have no external validating evidence in this case.
I would
1. Xanax: 4-8 mg daily (If you are in a position where memory is needed, you may trial Buspar, or a TCA)
2. Raise Nardil to 90mg, even 105mg.
3. Add on an antipsychotic..I would go for Seroquel or Zyprexa.
I really hope this helps in some way.
Ace
Posted by lukeds on November 26, 2006, at 8:13:10
In reply to Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help!, posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
I advice you to take clonazepam cause it is more powerful than xanax for anxiety and it is a long acting benzo, although it is more depressive.
Seroquel will help too.
This is the end of the thread.
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