Acupuncture

[chalismarch]

Hi

I'm new to this site and look forward to your support. I've had anxiety disorder for over 15 years. Have been to ER several times and two years ago had a negative echo-stress test. I've taken Zoloft and Ativan and didn't like how I felt on Zoloft. I don't like prescription drugs. I use Ativan when and if I need it. I also do tai chi. But lately the anxiety has gotten much worse because of work related stress. I started acupuncture treatments and after four treatments, two weeks apart, some things are better, I'm not as dizzy, but am still having occasional panic attacks and now sometimes have heavy, weak feelings in my legs. Has anyone had experience with acupuncture? Also, I suspect my gall bladder is involved.

Thanks,
B

[chalismarch]

I've learned that gall bladders can spasm sending off signals to a panic attack. As I said, I've had four acupuncture treatments and over the course I've felt great, then a few days after the acupuncture the panic has come back very strong. The acupuncturist says he's encouraged. And some of my earlier acute panic symptoms are gone. I'm taking Chinese herbs for heart, liver and gall bladder but watching it all very carefully. If things don't continue to improve I'll go to the GP.

My insurance doesn't cover acupuncture but so far it's been worth the money.  

[Paxiled]

Even when acupuncture is covered it's usually just for physical pain, not mental health, and then only a few treatments a year.  So coverage isn't necessarily coverage, if you get my drift.

[lesnmo]

Im not sure if medi care will pay for acupuncture.  I will have to look into that.  My husband like you has medi care.  As for me I paid out of pocket and I would say it wss worth every bit of the 75 dollars lol!!!

[29sillygirl]

Good to hear you found something that works.  Does insurance pay for accupunture?

I am on Medicare, and have found that a lot of the assistance I took for granted while working is no longer available under terms of Medicare.  I have no choice of insurance, of course: Blue Cross Blue Shield is all I can afford as a retired librarian.

[lesnmo]

I have been having terrible anxiety issues lately and I have had anxiety and or panic attacks since I was 18 and I'm now 28 and I started to take meds for it about 6 years ago and I stopped about three years ago cause I was feeling pretty good and I was pregnant at the time. I was totally fine till this past March when I was at work and had one of the worst attacks that I had ever had.  I brushed it off but had a few more episodes.  Since I was pregnant I ended up going to emergency and then I realized this pregnancy was not going to go as smooth as I hoped.  I tried to talk with my OB at the time about my anxiety issues but she was no help and my GP wanted input from my OB before he would consider prescribing any meds and to make a long story short I was having attacks daily and needed to do something about it so I decided to try acupuncture.  It was amazing the very moment she stuck the needle in the middle of my forhead I felt relief. I still felt anxius but haven't had a panic attack since and that was almost a month ago.  I am beginning to feel that anxious feeling again so I know that it is time for another dose of acupunture.  My new Ob and Phych. ended up prescribing Zoloft but I have yet to take it.  I'm still struggleing with the fact that it could possibly harm my baby.

[BUBBA007]

what makes you think your gal bladder is involved,reason i asked i guess with my anxiety i think everything is wrong with me they tell me to try therapy i have only had a couple of panic attacks since this is been going on but i wonder if the pain i feel caused my anxiety or the meds did cause i felt ok 4 months ago just had some pain in my arm and tingling in my hand now its turned in to everything