Help please

[kathhughes1971]

I was diagnosed with GAD two years ago. Since then my life has deteriorated. I have been on various medications which did not help. I have what Im guessing is maybe ibs due to the anxiety and have bad pains in stomach, back and legs. I have had about three tests in the last year checking my thyroid which came back fine. I am currently not on any medication for anxiety and have not been for the last 6 months. I have had anxiety classes and was getting better but the last two months have been hell. My Psychiatrist gave me venlafaxine which made me so ill I had to stop taking them after 3 days. This was two months ago. Spoke to her on the phone and she said she would send a fax to my doc with alternative medication. This was two months ago. My doctor is now chasing it up. My own GP is very good and is running every blood test to check for liver function kidney function iron deficiency b12 defeciency etc and I will see him the 12th Oct but what can I do till then I feel like I'm losing the plot! I'm getting worse and getting worried I'm going to lose it!

[kathhughes1971]

Thank you both so much for your comments. It is really heartfelt. It is difficult to go through this and have no one to talk to. I can understand people getting sick of hearing about it or thinking that I am just being awkward because I do not want to go far from the house. It hurts me more because I never used to be like this. I even took my children to disneyland paris on my own and used to drive work etc. My anxiety seems to be manifesting itself more physically even if I do not feel the fear when I go out my body starts to feel heavy and I feel exhausted so it puts me off. I used to be very outgoing and would talk to everyone. Now I don't want to talk to anyone and want to get home as quick as possible. The anxiety classes helped me because you are with like minded people. They only ran an hour for six weeks and I had to be referred. I have tried looking for local groups for people with the same illness but it has proved difficult. I will try both of your recommendations and will speak to the doctor on the 12th Oct about medication. Really appreciate both your help and will let you know my progress. Please let me know yours also Thank you xx

[DJ873]

Hi, i too use the meditation as a grounding tool. It really helps. This is a long journey that takes alot of effort to manage, it won't just go away. THere are some great tools available. The meditition that Jordano descibes is very similart to the Jon Kabitt-Zin I use, I have the mindfulness through depression cd that has it on it. I use it every day. I also read from Eckhart Tolle, and when needing to do something that puts my anxiety over the top (like drive or go to the dentist :) There is a cd titled Feel the the Fear and do it anyway, Susan Jeffers. From being a housebound, anxiety ridden, lost my job mess to finally feeling some hope has been a long journey. But every day I do something to help myself doing the above mentioned and trying to broaden my comfort zone. I have probably only taken 1 or 2 xanax in the last year as I think the mindfulness does as much for me as the meds. I am sure the library has books by all those I have mentioned if you want to look it over and see if it is for you. We all share this journey so know you are not alone.

[Jordano]

I'm sorry to hear about that, it can be very agrivating i know. It's hard for some people to understand or relate. It's especially hard to not talk about it with your husband for instance because it can be such a terrible feeling that you can't get it out of your head. I do the same exact thing and my family members get tired of hearing it especially if they love you. They hate to see one go through such a hard time so it's like a lose lose for us, guilt and anxiety but we learn to accept it. It's my pleasure to give you advice. Please let me know how my suggestions work out. I have many other ideas too from experience. Good luck, Jordan

[kathhughes1971]

Thank you very much for your reply.I have never tried any of these. I find I am getting more and more agitated with bouts of crying so I think this is turning into depression. I do feel though if I did not feel this anxious and feel guilty about not been able to do the things I used to do with the children I would not be depressed about it. I'm practically becoming a hermit. If I do go out which is not far I am only out a short time before I feel I need to go home. My youngest is two and he has never known me any different. He seems me as being sad and angry and when I'm having a particularly bad day he knows and is more naughty than ever which sends my stress level through the roof! My partner used to be supportive but is sick of hearing about it and just keeps going on about how it affects him. I really need to do something and thank you for your suggestions but my doctor is reluctant to prescribe anything unless my psychiatrist says its ok. Will give it a go though ;-) xx

[Jordano]

Hi, i'm a major anxiety sufferer as well. It's so deabilitating is it not?! Well anyways i think i'm finally getting onto something. With my therapist we often do sensory meditation. What you do is close your eyes, take deep breaths, and focus on everything you hear around you, what you feel including all parts of the body, smell etc. When you start to lose focus, focus on your breaths and continue. This is a good exercise to do because it calms the CNS and you will notice that when you open your eyes everything can seem almost in slow motion for 5 minutes. It also promotes Alpha waves which calms you down too. Recently i added Busiprone to my anti-depressant called Lexapro. Have you tried Busiprone or Lexapro? If so but not in combination, it might be a good idea to try both. I would of course ask your doctor but i have GAD as well and after 2 days i THINK it's working. Its 5mg Lexapro once a day and 5mg Busirprone 2-3 times a day. I hope this helps! ;)