Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 107542

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Crippling Anxiety

Posted by Guy on May 24, 2002, at 18:42:45

Has anyone experienced chronic, debilitating anxiety coupled with horrible pain in the head, neck and back. What can I take for the rest of my life? So many say the benzos wear off after a few months. I've already tried every AD in the book, but currently am on no meds. I have also "worked" with a long list of psychiatrists and psychologists. I have suicidal thoughts every day, but hold back because of my wife and daughters. Sometimes, however, I feel everyone would be better off without me. I've been sharing my misery with the people I love for the past six years...I feel so guilty. Can't wait for it all to end.

 

Re: Crippling Anxiety

Posted by Bookgurl99 on May 24, 2002, at 18:48:28

In reply to Crippling Anxiety, posted by Guy on May 24, 2002, at 18:42:45

> Has anyone experienced chronic, debilitating anxiety coupled with horrible pain in the head, neck and back. What can I take for the rest of my life?

Guy, you can get through this difficult time.

It's natural for anxiety to cause the sort of pain you experience -- the associated muscle tension can do all sorts of things to our bodies.

I know it's hard to believe now, but you can learn skills and take medications to handle the anxiety. It's natural for there to be times that it worsens.

I suggest 'working' more with your doctors. There is hope. What do you want your future to look like? Focus on that.


 

Re: Crippling Anxiety

Posted by lrw on May 24, 2002, at 19:36:24

In reply to Re: Crippling Anxiety, posted by Bookgurl99 on May 24, 2002, at 18:48:28

http://bbs.stresscenter.com/cgi-bin/ubbcbi/Ultmate.cgi

I really would like for you to check out this site. I don't know if you can copy and paste when it's on 2 lines like this but please give it a try. You can cure yourself from anxiety. Many people have. I would say that I am 80% better and on my way to 100%.

 

Re: To Guy » Guy

Posted by Rathrbfishn on May 24, 2002, at 20:53:00

In reply to Crippling Anxiety, posted by Guy on May 24, 2002, at 18:42:45

Guy, I've been there and know the type of anxiety your feeling. I had suicidal thoughts until I found a pdoc who knew how to treat me.

When so many say that benzo's wear off in a few months what they are really talking about is tolerance to the drug. A specialist in anxiety disorders will recognize this and continue to titrate the benzo up until the anxiety is under control. Developing a tolerance to the benzo's is quite common.

Find a specialist in anxiety disorders and they will usually continue to titrate the benzo upward until the tolerance subsides and you are left with appropriate dosages to keep your anxiety at bay.

Usually therapy with a psychologist along with medicine is the best way to go.

But if suicidal ideation is a real problem, and it sounds like it is, get on meds as quickly as possible to quell the anxiety. Once you are treated effectively with meds for the anxiety the suicidal ideation subsides, therapy can be be most effective. Bag the AD's for now. Benzo's are the gold standard for your condition. You just need to find a specialist who knows how to use them appropriately.

 

Re: Crippling Anxiety

Posted by Guy on May 24, 2002, at 22:12:14

In reply to Crippling Anxiety, posted by Guy on May 24, 2002, at 18:42:45

Thanks for your support. My problem is that I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not have anxiety (I'm 48 now). I really don't think I will ever recover considering my family history (rampant alcoholism), and the fact that I have been deathly ill for six years. There's something chemically/biologically screwed up in my nervous system.

 

Re: Crippling Anxiety » Guy

Posted by Alan on May 24, 2002, at 23:13:49

In reply to Re: Crippling Anxiety, posted by Guy on May 24, 2002, at 22:12:14

> Thanks for your support. My problem is that I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not have anxiety (I'm 48 now). I really don't think I will ever recover considering my family history (rampant alcoholism), and the fact that I have been deathly ill for six years. There's something chemically/biologically screwed up in my nervous system.
============================================
please get competent medical care NOW. Do not wait...talking will not help here. You need a professional that knows how to intervene, diagnose specificaly, and help save your life. Suicidal ideation is never something to talk one's self out of. GET HELP NOW!

Alan

 

Re: Crippling Anxiety

Posted by Kat26 on May 25, 2002, at 13:24:46

In reply to Re: Crippling Anxiety » Guy, posted by Alan on May 24, 2002, at 23:13:49

What other meds except benzos have you tried, e.g. buspar or something? What about therapy?

Kat26

 

Re: Crippling AnxietyGuy

Posted by jaby on May 25, 2002, at 17:10:02

In reply to Crippling Anxiety, posted by Guy on May 24, 2002, at 18:42:45

I haven't read all the rest of the posts, but you need to get yourself some help in a hurry. Take it from someone that has had a crippling anxiety condition for the last 5 years, and feel like much of it could have been prevented. The suicidal thoughts are natural since you're in such misery. Make sure whoever sees you realizes how bad you really are. Tell them everything! I would expect to receive either a benzodiazepine or antipsychotic at least for the short term. That should at least get you a little more comfortable.

 

Re: Crippling AnxietyGuy

Posted by Guy on May 25, 2002, at 18:06:04

In reply to Re: Crippling AnxietyGuy, posted by jaby on May 25, 2002, at 17:10:02

Jaby, it sound like you have found some relief from your symptoms. Would you mind telling me about it?

 

Re: Crippling AnxietyGuy

Posted by johnj on May 26, 2002, at 0:20:11

In reply to Re: Crippling AnxietyGuy, posted by Guy on May 25, 2002, at 18:06:04

Guy:
Please get to a doctor as soon as possible. I became ill in 92 with an anxiety that lead to depression. The anxiety was so bad I contemplated suicide, believed I deserved to feel the way I did, believed I was some horrible person and the anxiety fed on itself. I found benzo's to be the best for myself. I have been on them for close to 10 years I guess, and even lowered my dose one time. I have since raised the dose, but not quite back to what I started on. I take tranzene 7.5 mg at night and sometimes another 7.5 mg taken split in half. I take some lithium and nortryptline too. The anxiety needs a benzo to give you relief IMO. But don't listen to what I say GO see a doctor and tell them EVERYTHING you feel. I pray you find relief. Good luck and please let us know how you are doing. YOU can get better.....you are not the illness, it does not define who you really are.
Johnj

 

Re: Crippling AnxietyGuy

Posted by jaby on May 26, 2002, at 15:06:18

In reply to Re: Crippling AnxietyGuy, posted by Guy on May 25, 2002, at 18:06:04

I'd be happy to...I have been dealing with bad anxiety/depression for the last 5 years. It all was sparked for me while smoking some weed. I had done it plenty of times, but I guess the camel's back got broken.

Anyhow, the worst symptom for me has been a dizziness/dissociation/overstimulated vision thing. It all started as anxiety adn morphed into depression, fibromyalgia, etc.

I was treated inititally with all the SSRI's and new antidepressants. I found some relief with valium (small doses), remeron (major weight gain), and was cured for about 1 1/2 months on lamictal (pooped out). After many trials and tribulations I am finding that the addition of Lithobid and Zyprexa to my neurontin and valium is doing something really nice. If you read my last post under "Lithobid & Zyprexa working great...", you'll learn a little about my family history also.

I would recommend you try to find a dr. that will help you try to nip this in the bud aggressively. I think I suffered unnecessarily by being treated with the more(for lack of a better expression-politically correct drugs). I would look to try to stabilize on a long acting benzo or antipsychotic and then maybe work of something else for the long term.

Let me know if you have more questions. I owe this board, because many people here have helped me. Have a good one!

 

Re: Crippling Anxiety

Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on May 31, 2002, at 12:29:44

In reply to Re: Crippling Anxiety, posted by Kat26 on May 25, 2002, at 13:24:46

Benzodiazepines are fine for short-term use but they are quite addictive.Despite that some people spend their life on them.Non-addictive drugs include Buspar.It may be of value but probably only in quite high dose.It may take a week or more to get any relief.Overall I have not been too impressed by Buspar.SSRIs like Prozac are frequently recommended and quite good.Cognitive therapy with a psychologist may help.A natural medication that may help is omega-3 fish oil-20% of the brain is fish oil but we dont eat much fish any more.Have a look at www.omega3.20megsfree.com


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