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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Guy on November 14, 2009, at 18:35:37
I have an anxiety disorder from hell which has plagued me for many years--chronic, daily tension headache, a feeling of breathlessness, derealization and dizziness (exacerbated by blindness in one eye). I have tried many meds and seen many shrinks but nobody seems to be able to do anything for me. Anti-depressants make me infinitely worse. I'm back at work after a two year absence but things are not going well because of all my symptoms. I'm sure my GP thinks I'm a chronic whiner as he keeps encouraging me to continue working and tries to reassure me by saying that he also has days when he doesn't feel like going to work. This comparison really pisses me off! Today I went for a 6K run and when I had finished and settled down my heart suddenly started racing as if I have ventricular tachycardia. It lasted for half an hour and I ended up on the floor because my brain was being starved of oxygen. I finally asked my wife to drive me to the clinic. Unfortunately, the racing heart (200 beats per minute) returned abruptly to normal before the doc could see me and I am again left feeling like a fool. I know it's a combination of stress and physical exertion as I have seen a cardiologist who says I'm OK. Current meds: .25 mg Zyprexa for sleep and 5 mg Valium as needed for anxiety attacks when I can't sleep (which is almost every night). The constant anxiety is killing me...I'm 55 now and can't recall any point in my life when I felt really calm. Can anyone relate?
Posted by Phidippus on November 14, 2009, at 19:09:23
In reply to Labelled a Whiner, posted by Guy on November 14, 2009, at 18:35:37
If antidepressants make you worse and a little bit of Zyprexa and a lot of Valium are the only thing helping then I would suspect you might be bipolar. This anxiety of yours may be the mania you experience. Have you ever tried a mood stabilizer?
P
Posted by Guy on November 14, 2009, at 21:23:56
In reply to Re: Labelled a Whiner » Guy, posted by Phidippus on November 14, 2009, at 19:09:23
Thanks for your response Phiddipus. One shrink did once say that I was bipolar (but I soon learned that's her diagnosis for everyone who walks through her door). Anyway, I don't seem to be cycling...just in a constant state of anxiety. Do you think that might mean bipolar? I've never tried a mood stabilizer.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 14, 2009, at 23:33:00
In reply to Labelled a Whiner, posted by Guy on November 14, 2009, at 18:35:37
Hi Guy,
Are you seeing a gp for everything? Do you have a pdoc you like? If not, I would suggest finding a good one you have rapport with. GP's are not the best at diagnosing anxiety issues. IMHO, you don't sound bipolar. (But that's only my opinion.)
my two cents, welcome, and hoping you get the relief you deserve soon,
fb
Posted by Phillipa on November 15, 2009, at 0:24:29
In reply to Re: Labelled a Whiner » Guy, posted by floatingbridge on November 14, 2009, at 23:33:00
Welcome I relate as first panic attack age 24. Anxiety for me relates to what is going on in my life. Benzos up and down for now over 40 years so I definitely relate. I'd see if can find a pdoc who isn't benzo phobic. Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on November 15, 2009, at 0:57:55
In reply to Re: Labelled a Whiner, posted by Phillipa on November 15, 2009, at 0:24:29
Are you taking 2.5mg or 25mg zyprexa? If its 2.5mg you may want to increase the dose. Zyprexa is also a mood stabilizer. Its great for anxiety, at least for me it is. I take 10mg.
Posted by Phidippus on November 15, 2009, at 1:38:01
In reply to Re: Labelled a Whiner, posted by Guy on November 14, 2009, at 21:23:56
>...just in a constant state of anxiety. Do you think that might mean bipolar? I've never tried a mood stabilizer.
Yes, especially if you're more of a bipolar II. Mania can manifest as a high state of anxiety. If you do try a mood stabilizer, try Lithium first.
P
Posted by Maxime on November 15, 2009, at 12:20:27
In reply to Labelled a Whiner, posted by Guy on November 14, 2009, at 18:35:37
The anxiety sounds horrible. I was just wondering if you had a physical done since your breathing problem occured. Also, have you been checked for hyperthyroidism?
Posted by manic666 on November 16, 2009, at 13:16:42
In reply to Labelled a Whiner, posted by Guy on November 14, 2009, at 18:35:37
you say you have tried a.d,s how long for .did you do a full trail or nuke them early because of side effects.tell us what you have tried an for how long.
This is the end of the thread.
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