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HELP!!!!!!!! I HAVE SEVERE AND CHRONIC ANXIETY 24/7,
I have severe and chronic anxiety 24/7, it has ruined my life I can barely do anything without shaking really bad and dizziness when walking. I'm also always hungry for breakfast I had 4 eggs with a veggie burger and some turkey. I am not overweight, I'm skinny. Doc had given me prozac and made me more dizzy, it's been 17 months now. I live alone because nobody wants to be around me. I hate my LIFE AND REALLY DON'T WANT TO LIVE THIS MISERY ANYMORE. I cry hysterically everyday. Husband doesn't live with me and he only gets anxiety attacks and able to live his life normally. I also feel weak arms and legs from the constant anxiety and trembling. Doctors have never seen this before, and are clueless how to treat me. PLEASE SOMEBODY I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!
You most likely have adrenal fatigue as 24/7 anxiety is not normal. Please read James wilsons adrenal fatigue book, stop the thyroid madness ( book, website or Facebook group) and chronic fatigue unmasked 2000. Should get a saliva cortisol test and make appt with dr. Nelville from clymer.
I felt this exact same way last night for my first time, feels like your about ot have a heart attack, so sorry your going threw this
But even though it has almost been a decade for me of putting my heart in to heal no matter what it takes, I'm worse than ever before. Still need to try to find the positive in everything. Maybe on the other side, everything will make sense.
Hi Adelle.
I know this post is old but I found it by googling constant Anxiety. I too, suffer around the clock from a host of symptoms. I am 41 years old, never had a mental health issue until 9 months ago when out of the blue I suffered a panic attack. Since that day I have been in a living hell, with no explanations from doctors at all. I had the perfect life. Great family, kids, wife, house, career, friends. I was fit and atheletic and healthy. There was no reason for this to happen.
I have been to see too many doctors and specialists and therapists and psychiatrists than I can count.
I am no looking into the possibility of Lyme disease and co-infections, most specifically Bartonella which can cause anxiety and panic.
I would like to know how you are feeling now?
I know this post is old but I found it by googling constant Anxiety. I too, suffer around the clock from a host of symptoms. I am 41 years old, never had a mental health issue until 9 months ago when out of the blue I suffered a panic attack. Since that day I have been in a living hell, with no explanations from doctors at all. I had the perfect life. Great family, kids, wife, house, career, friends. I was fit and atheletic and healthy. There was no reason for this to happen.
I have been to see too many doctors and specialists and therapists and psychiatrists than I can count.
I am no looking into the possibility of Lyme disease and co-infections, most specifically Bartonella which can cause anxiety and panic.
I would like to know how you are feeling now?
Dr Harold Levinson wrote a book about inner ear and connections to panic...he is located in long island ny....google him......ive been having 24/7 anxiety on and off for a long time since i relapsed in april 2013......its exhausting and no one can understand how debilitating it can be....its like you cant shut it off!!!! Have you ever considered daily klonopin to take the edge off.....or off label meds lke gabapentin or risperdal.......risperdal is an antipsychotic used off label for people wth chronic anxiety and obsessive thinking.....hang in there...im feeling the same these days......i black out with my panic....drs never saw that either!
The med you're talking about is Meclizine...in Rx form it's called Antivert. I just recommended that to the OP as well. Sometimes that will help, even if the vertigo has a source other than the inner ear.
Sorry about your age. I looked at your profile and it says you're 43. My mistake to believe the profile!
Meniere's disease which is an ear problem can cause extreme dizziness. If medications fail, then a surgical operation is carried out. Unfortunately it does lead to deafness. My aunty had to have the operation because of her extreme dizziness.
My daughter suffered from dizzy turns and was prescribed a medication to steady the balance mechanism that is in the inner ear. I can't remember the name of the medication, but they are also used for travel sickness.
As you have already said that you have a vestibular problem, the vestibular system consists of the parts of the inner ear and nervous system that control equilibrium, balance and orientation. So therefore you need to be under the direction of the Ears Nose and Throat specialist to help you with this. There are also exercises for this which they would instruct you with if it was felt it would be of benefit.
And as you say, your anxiety and depression is as a consequence of having the vestibular problem. I have read also that a diet restrictive in sodium is recommended for some people with vestibular problems.
Antidepressants do not work by taking only one tablet. Prozac clearly did not agree with you, but there are lots of different types of antidepressants. I take Citalopram now, have been on Amitriptyline and also on Prozac in the past that didn't help me.
With any antidepressant, you need to be on them for well over 3 weeks or longer to feel any benefit. All these type of drugs can make you feel sleepy and cause dizziness and your doctor may advise you to take them at bedtime. I take mine at night time, as taking them in the mornings made me feel too drowsy.
Although Valium and Diazepam are prescribed to calm the nerves, you may be better with Diazepam rather than the Valium. These are both addictive so have to be used with caution.
I suggest you go back to either your doctor or the ENT specialist to help you with your vestibular problem. Prescribing you with a medication to settle down the balance mechanism in your ears would be a start.
Be persistent, if you don't keep telling them about your dizziness, they will think you are fine. If anyone tells you that you have to help yourself, just remind them that you have already been diagnosed with a vestibular problem and this can cause balance disturbances (making you feel dizzy).
I have dizzy turns that are due to my neck, so have to take care how I move.
Let us know how you get on.
Best wishes.
Meniere's disease which is an ear problem can cause extreme dizziness. If medications fail, then a surgical operation is carried out. Unfortunately it does lead to deafness. My aunty had to have the operation because of her extreme dizziness.
My daughter suffered from dizzy turns and was prescribed a medication to steady the balance mechanism that is in the inner ear. I can't remember the name of the medication, but they are also used for travel sickness.
As you have already said that you have a vestibular problem, the vestibular system consists of the parts of the inner ear and nervous system that control equilibrium, balance and orientation. So therefore you need to be under the direction of the Ears Nose and Throat specialist to help you with this. There are also exercises for this which they would instruct you with if it was felt it would be of benefit.
And as you say, your anxiety and depression is as a consequence of having the vestibular problem. I have read also that a diet restrictive in sodium is recommended for some people with vestibular problems.
Antidepressants do not work by taking only one tablet. Prozac clearly did not agree with you, but there are lots of different types of antidepressants. I take Citalopram now, have been on Amitriptyline and also on Prozac in the past that didn't help me.
With any antidepressant, you need to be on them for well over 3 weeks or longer to feel any benefit. All these type of drugs can make you feel sleepy and cause dizziness and your doctor may advise you to take them at bedtime. I take mine at night time, as taking them in the mornings made me feel too drowsy.
Although Valium and Diazepam are prescribed to calm the nerves, you may be better with Diazepam rather than the Valium. These are both addictive so have to be used with caution.
I suggest you go back to either your doctor or the ENT specialist to help you with your vestibular problem. Prescribing you with a medication to settle down the balance mechanism in your ears would be a start.
Be persistent, if you don't keep telling them about your dizziness, they will think you are fine. If anyone tells you that you have to help yourself, just remind them that you have already been diagnosed with a vestibular problem and this can cause balance disturbances (making you feel dizzy).
I have dizzy turns that are due to my neck, so have to take care how I move.
Let us know how you get on.
Best wishes.
Sweetie, it's not that people have given up on you, but it IS hard for our loved ones. They run out of things to say, they just don't KNOW how to help us, especialy if they've never experienced severe anxiety. Same with the doctors...they sometimes just kind of run out of things to suggest...especially if it seems highly likely that anxiety is a big part of the problem.
YOU have to keep fighting. YOU are the one who matters when it comes to effort and work here. I know you feel alone, but you're not. There are SOOO many people who suffer with debilitating anxiety.
YOU have to keep fighting. YOU are the one who matters when it comes to effort and work here. I know you feel alone, but you're not. There are SOOO many people who suffer with debilitating anxiety.
I'm so sorry you're struggling so much. Having chronic anxiety can certainly be a battle, and while there's no CURE, there ARE treatments that can be effective. Most times, anxiety treatment involves a good bit of trial and error, especially as far as medications go. I understand you have tried different things, but you just may not have found the right medication regimen that works for you yet. Sometimes, when a person doesn't respond to the newer SSRI antidepressants, they may do better on one of the older ADs, like a tricylic antidepressant.
NO ONE is ever a hopeless case. Whoever told you that isn't someone I would return to for treatment. I agree that with the crisis mode you're in, an inpatient program would be indicated. I understand that you've done that before, but that doesn't mean that you wouldn't get some relief if you tried another one.
I also very strongly agree with those who are telling you you have to help yourself. I'm not saying you're not trying, but there are things you can do that maybe you haven't tried. If you can find a therapist who is well versed in CBT, that might help you a lot...and a therapist should be guiding you on things you can do yourself. Much of successful anxiety treatment involves changing our mindset. It takes time, and work, and patience, but it IS possible.
Please don't stop fighting. There are ALWAYS options. TRY to change your mindset a bit too. I totally understand your level of frustration and hopelessness, but if you can try to change your thinking to a more positive attitude, convince yourself you WILL find something that works, you just haven't found it yet...that attitude will go far in how you feel. I would guess at this point, most everything you try, you are convinced ahead of time that it's not going to work...because that's what has happened historically. If that's true, that negative outlook will affect you without a doubt.
Buy every book you can about panic and anxiety...try new things, from meditation, accupuncture, hypnosis. You just NEVER know what's going to work. Get MAD at the anxiety, just BE done with it...say "enough is enough"..out loud if you can. I know when I started getting MAD, and just fed up, I started getting better.
Please reach out for help, preferrably in a hospital, in a GOOD facility that specializes in psychiatric care. It goes without saying that if you feel you are at risk for harming yourself, you need to seek help immediately.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I've been in that dark place before...not as quite as long as you have, but I KNOW that feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and desperation. You must keep fighting hon. Please keep in touch with us and let us know how you're doing, ok? We're all in your corner...we understand and support you.
NO ONE is ever a hopeless case. Whoever told you that isn't someone I would return to for treatment. I agree that with the crisis mode you're in, an inpatient program would be indicated. I understand that you've done that before, but that doesn't mean that you wouldn't get some relief if you tried another one.
I also very strongly agree with those who are telling you you have to help yourself. I'm not saying you're not trying, but there are things you can do that maybe you haven't tried. If you can find a therapist who is well versed in CBT, that might help you a lot...and a therapist should be guiding you on things you can do yourself. Much of successful anxiety treatment involves changing our mindset. It takes time, and work, and patience, but it IS possible.
Please don't stop fighting. There are ALWAYS options. TRY to change your mindset a bit too. I totally understand your level of frustration and hopelessness, but if you can try to change your thinking to a more positive attitude, convince yourself you WILL find something that works, you just haven't found it yet...that attitude will go far in how you feel. I would guess at this point, most everything you try, you are convinced ahead of time that it's not going to work...because that's what has happened historically. If that's true, that negative outlook will affect you without a doubt.
Buy every book you can about panic and anxiety...try new things, from meditation, accupuncture, hypnosis. You just NEVER know what's going to work. Get MAD at the anxiety, just BE done with it...say "enough is enough"..out loud if you can. I know when I started getting MAD, and just fed up, I started getting better.
Please reach out for help, preferrably in a hospital, in a GOOD facility that specializes in psychiatric care. It goes without saying that if you feel you are at risk for harming yourself, you need to seek help immediately.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I've been in that dark place before...not as quite as long as you have, but I KNOW that feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and desperation. You must keep fighting hon. Please keep in touch with us and let us know how you're doing, ok? We're all in your corner...we understand and support you.
My thyroid is fine. The endocrinologist gave me HRT and I would get up in the morning and be extremely dizzy, like a drunk. I have been inpatient and intensive out patient several times in the las 17 months. Doctor gave me prozac and I was dizzy all day like I had drank 2 quarts of vodka. Every day is a traumatic event nobody understands the way I feel and they leave me alone like I have the plague. I've had brain MRI's and a lot of blood work done. They found things wrong with me but nothing that causes my symptoms. The ENT doc says I have vestibular neuritis but when I look up the definition for that its not the same symptoms I have. Basically the doctors have given up on me like the couple family members have, husband and sister. There isn't anybody else I can relate to.
have the doctors checked your thyroid? Also could be some underlying issue thats not being addressed. usually maybe some traumatic event
are you on any anxiety medication? It helps me. it seems to me you many have a chemical imbalance...i agree with someone else said, you should be in a hospital so they can take care of you. It is curable.
I'm not 43 years old. I'm 57. My ears are clean there is no wax build up in my ears. My ENT says wax doesnt cause dizziness. Doctors have done blood work and tell me nothing is wrong with me. There are things wrong but they say it wouldn't cause any of my symptoms. My moods aren't from food it's from being so anxious all day everyday with the constant dizziness. No matter who I talk to they say I have to help myself and then I'm left here with no support system. Nobody cares for me why or how can I care for myself.
I have been to the ENT a thousand times, they said I have some vestibular disorder and this has caused the anxiety. There is no help I have been doing PT but can't tell if it helps cause my anxiety is 200 percent. I only took prozac once it calmed me down but made the dizziness worse 10 fold. Even when I take a valium it doesn't calm me down or help my dizziness.
Another reason for dizzy turns as well as ear problems like remar points out can also be from the blood pressure either being too low, but usually from being too high and bacterial or viral infections.
It may also be a good idea to have your blood checked for any blood disorders, like anaemia, diabetes and thyroid levels and a hormone imbalance.
You may also be suffering from hypoglycaemia. This is low sugar levels in your body. If the sugar levels drop too low, you will get the shakes, feel nausea and headachy and extremely hungry. For this, you need to eat little and often.
Your doctor should prescribe medication to steady the balance mechanism in your ears and sometimes that causes dizzy turns, so having your ears checked out as suggest by remar is a good idea. Congestion, ear wax or infections, and inner ear problems can cause dizziness.
I have also noticed that you are 43 and all the symptoms that you are experiencing may be because of a hormone imbalance and that you may be on in the perimenopausal phase of your life.
If your therapist has said that you need to help yourself, I suggest you change therapist. The symptoms that you are describing and the feelings of depression, you need support and help to get you on the road to ill health.
Eat a healthy and natural diet and cut out all junk food and alcohol (if you drink). It is a well know fact that foods can affect our moods.
Best wishes.
It may also be a good idea to have your blood checked for any blood disorders, like anaemia, diabetes and thyroid levels and a hormone imbalance.
You may also be suffering from hypoglycaemia. This is low sugar levels in your body. If the sugar levels drop too low, you will get the shakes, feel nausea and headachy and extremely hungry. For this, you need to eat little and often.
Your doctor should prescribe medication to steady the balance mechanism in your ears and sometimes that causes dizzy turns, so having your ears checked out as suggest by remar is a good idea. Congestion, ear wax or infections, and inner ear problems can cause dizziness.
I have also noticed that you are 43 and all the symptoms that you are experiencing may be because of a hormone imbalance and that you may be on in the perimenopausal phase of your life.
If your therapist has said that you need to help yourself, I suggest you change therapist. The symptoms that you are describing and the feelings of depression, you need support and help to get you on the road to ill health.
Eat a healthy and natural diet and cut out all junk food and alcohol (if you drink). It is a well know fact that foods can affect our moods.
Best wishes.
Have you been to an ENT specialist to have your ears checked? If there's any problem with them it can cause the dizziness. So can severe anxiety of course.
What other meds have you tried besides Prozac? There are several other meds to choose from that may be able to help with your anxiety.
Many of us here do understand the dizziness because we also have it. Some more extreme than others.
What other meds have you tried besides Prozac? There are several other meds to choose from that may be able to help with your anxiety.
Many of us here do understand the dizziness because we also have it. Some more extreme than others.
I have a councilor.and and a phycharitist, I have been inpatient and intensive out patient in hospitals. There are support groups but only offer once a week or once a month. I have chronic ( swaying) dizziness ) when walking. I go out every day but shake really bad from the anxiety which creates more dizziness. The only family I have is my sister which lives out of state and won't have anything to do with me cause of the way I am. My husband thinks I can shut the anxiety off like a switch on the wall. My therapist says I need to help my self but its hard to help my self when people won't have anything to do with me. I'm sitting here shaking just typing this, and this is the way I am all day. I have gone to the Er hospital 20 times in the ast 17 months they give me a shot of Ativan and send me to an inpatient hospital that doesn't help me. They can help the mental part of the illness but not my dizziness. Everyone I speak with whether its a doctor or another personal has never heard or saw anybody like me. None of them including doctors have no clue, so I am literally a no HOPE CASE with people that don't care or don't know how to help. I used to have a normal and pretty much a happy life, I've had anxiety before but has never crippled me so bad that I just wanted to DIE!!! To do anything whether its brushing my teeth or making a meal, going to the grocery store and forget taking a shower, I'm lucky if I take one once a month because of the anxiety and the drunk feeling dizziness. My PC doctor says take a pill but when I take a pill it feels like I drank 2 quarts of vodka. Then she'll ask me if I have a support system and I don't. I'm better off DEAD and I feel this more and more each day!!!!
Sorry to hear you feel so unwell.
Go back to your doctor and explain how you feel. Prozac may not be the right antidepressant for you. There are different ones available and it's getting to find the right one that suits you. If you are taking it in the mornings, you also may find it better to take it at night before going to bed.
The doctor may also be able to prescribe Diazepam or something similar which works differently to antidepressants. The drugs like Diazepam actually calm you down, but they can be addictive so you would have to be monitored.
As you doctor to refer you to counselling. If you have unresolved issues that are the underlying cause of your depression, these need to be tackled to help you put things into perspective only then will you be able to "move" on. I found EMDR extremely helpful.
I know it is very difficult and you feel like locking yourself away from society, but try and join a group, either a support group from people who suffer from problems like yourself. Or, if you have a hobby (or had one), find a group so that you can pursue your hobby again. Being out with other people is the best thing if you suffer from depression. Also go out for walks in the fresh air or join a gym. Exercise is great to help change the mood.
Make sure also that you are eating healthily.
Best wishes.
Go back to your doctor and explain how you feel. Prozac may not be the right antidepressant for you. There are different ones available and it's getting to find the right one that suits you. If you are taking it in the mornings, you also may find it better to take it at night before going to bed.
The doctor may also be able to prescribe Diazepam or something similar which works differently to antidepressants. The drugs like Diazepam actually calm you down, but they can be addictive so you would have to be monitored.
As you doctor to refer you to counselling. If you have unresolved issues that are the underlying cause of your depression, these need to be tackled to help you put things into perspective only then will you be able to "move" on. I found EMDR extremely helpful.
I know it is very difficult and you feel like locking yourself away from society, but try and join a group, either a support group from people who suffer from problems like yourself. Or, if you have a hobby (or had one), find a group so that you can pursue your hobby again. Being out with other people is the best thing if you suffer from depression. Also go out for walks in the fresh air or join a gym. Exercise is great to help change the mood.
Make sure also that you are eating healthily.
Best wishes.
Hi, Adelle. The doctors I know, DO know about this. You are describing a severe and ongoing panick attack, and you should be in treatment right away. This means finding a hospital (preferably) with a mental health and wellness ward. You sign yourself in and stay there until you feel better. It's not as bad as it sounds. I did a 6 day stay in one of these and it did me wonders! Please go see my journal entry: my psych ward story. It's long, but worth it. PLEASE GO GET HELP. No one should be as unhappy as you are, and it can be made better if you look in the right places. If you look into a wrong place, ask them to help you find the right one. ASK, ASK, ASK, and DON'T STOP asking until you are given help. My heart goes out to you, and my prayers, too... Blessings - Blu
I did a quick look on the web and found this:
"No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7."
I do not know anything about this help line, and I don't know if there is a financial charge, but I offer it as a start if you are having problems finding someone to talk with.
Wishing you find help, and get better soon
"No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7."
I do not know anything about this help line, and I don't know if there is a financial charge, but I offer it as a start if you are having problems finding someone to talk with.
Wishing you find help, and get better soon
Try to think of someone you can talk with who will try to help and understand if you can't come up with someone look on the web for a local help line, these are available everywhere (I think locally, at least in big cities) and have someone who will answer 24/7.
Hold on and get medical/professional help - a psychiatrist and psychologist/counselor can help.
Hold on and get medical/professional help - a psychiatrist and psychologist/counselor can help.
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