Dealing with severe health anxiety

[iamfaithful]

Hi.  I have been dealing with health anxiety for a number of years.  It started back in 2007 but I was able to deal with it and in about a year it was very manageable.  Fast forward to 2016 and it has come back with a vengeance!  I am having daily panic attacks (which I did not have before) and I can't seem to get myself together!  I have been to my cardio and had the full work up yet and still I experience the "gloom and doom" feeling on a daily basis.  I have MAJOR cardiac fears.   Back in September my PCP put me on Zoloft but I could not tolerate it.  Now I am on Toporol, another med for a different issue and Xanax by my Cardiologist.  I am thinking about trying to start again on a long term medication because my anxiousness has taken over my life!  Can anyone tell me their experiences with meds such as Lexapro, or Paxil?  I don't know what to take or what to do!  Xanax is just knocking the edge off and I need something that is going to help me until I can get this under control!  Thanks so much!

[Paxiled]

Stay away from Paxil unless everything else has failed.  It's very hard to stop taking, can lead to major weight gain, and is a peculiar drug in that after taking it many people just can't get a benefit from taking it again or taking anything else.  Just an odd drug, probably just too strong in its affinity for both serotonin and choline receptors.  But my advice goes along with everyone else's -- try therapy first.  If it doesn't work and your therapist decides medication is necessary, see a psychiatrist.  Right now you're getting a drug from your cardiologist, a drug from your regular doc, and neither is likely talking to one another nor do they specialize in treating anxiety or in the drugs used for it.  Psychiatrists come bad and good, but they do at least use these drugs all the time.

[iamfaithful]

Sorry for the confusion but it's actually my Cardio who has me on all of my meds.  I am going to a group therapy tonight and hope that helps.  I have to do something!

[Jeffrey33]

Hope every thing goes great for you. Im also starting therapy and am optimistic

[iamfaithful]

Thanks for the support.  I hope things go well for you!

[iamfaithful]

I am trying to find a good therapist-it's so hard.  I appreciate you answering.  That's exactly what I need!

[Cmaccy]

Hi there- have you accessed psychological support? Cognitive behavioural therapy for health anxiety is a very specific intervention and process aimed to work with health anxiety. I would really suggest looking in to that.