Anxiety Questions

[jmr828]

Alright I'm 19, I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 4 years ago. I used to be prescribed Lexapro, and my suicidal tendencies got worse, and I ended up in the hospital from an over-dose. I have been off of prescription for about 2 and a half years now, and also used to occasionally take xanax when the anxiety or thoughts started to become overwhelming. After ending up nearly dead, I have kicked the recreational habit of xanax and all other pills besides hydrocodone for pain. Since I have been clean, I sometimes hear and see things that aren't there, I cant describe it, but the noises and visuals vary from time to time. As well as this, I've noticed that my dreams have gotten far far worse. I'm not a violent or angry person, but I've been having dreams about hurting people, and things. My worst dream was watching somebody burning alive, and i could literally watch the skin bubbling and dripping off. Ever since these dreams I've been incredibly paranoid, about my friends, family, job, everything. My anxiety attacks subsided until about three weeks ago though, and when it happens i notice that my chest hurts beyond belief, my entire body tenses up and shakes, and then a severe wave of fear comes over me, and I just cry and cry and shake for sometimes up to an hour.  I want to know if these symptoms are common for other people with this problem, or if it could possibly be from the drug abuse. Also, I have been steadily taking hydrocodone 10mg, but controlling it, I take a half of one before work, and the other half on break. However, I've noticed that the next morning (i work nights) if i eat something and dont take a hydro, my stomach hurts so bad to the point to where i can barely walk.. I've been taking hydros for about 6 years recreationally, but quit for about 3 months, and now i take a maximum of one a day. Does this have anything to do with why my emotions have been so out of wack as well? I just feel like I'm losing it, and it feels like these attacks are literally going to kill me some day. Please any advice or ANYTHING will be greatly appreciated.

[Julie359]

You know this could be the root to all the evil that your suffering.  A friend of mine took Hydrocodone after a operation and became addicted to it, then once she stopped taking it she started to suffer severe anxiety and formed agoraphobia and social phobia. She has been battling for over a year now with anxiety and even though is making progress it is slow and painful at times.

Her doctor informed her that this drug changes the chemical balance of the brain and can take up to a year after you stop taking it for the changes to rebalance themselves.  So if i were you i would go and get professional help in weening yourself off this terrible drug. Maybe the doc can give you something to ease the withdrawl while you ween off, cause i think the sooner you get off of it the better for your all round mental health.

P.s..... let the doctor know your seeing and hearing things as this is a sign of pychosis and needs to be treated before it becomes worse hun, it may even be a result of the withdrawl from this drug that your currently going through.

[mammo]

I think the first thing you should do is get a good physical check-up.  Then find a good psychiatrist to work with in therapy.  You've come along way, but some of this may be due to the abuse of your body.  The important thing is that you're on the road to getting better but need to figure out what is physical and what is mental., and go from there.
Good luck and take care....