Welcome to the Anxiety Forum

[cj29]

WELCOME TO THE ANXIETY FORUM!
Welcome everyone to the Anxiety Forum. This is the place to come if you have questions or concerns about anxiety/panic, related medications and their side effects and recovery.

Some of our members have been living with anxiety and related disorders for years, while others are new to the waiting rooms of psychiatrists/therapists and the rainbow of medications available to treat our various conditions.

Regardless of what brings you here, welcome!

Be sure to check out the "Health Pages," you'll find the link in the upper right hand corner of your screen. Health Pages address topics related to Anxiety/Panic and among the pages you will find a list of common anxiety related acronyms. It's a great resource!

Once you have looked around, why not create a profile and tell us a little about yourself? Your profile can be as simple or as complex as you like. You will meet people from around the world and have the opportunity to learn from, and help, others who share our same concerns. Once you've created a profile, check out "My Med Help" at the top of the page and check out the many great features and setting options that are available.

Consider posting on a current thread, or starting one of your own. Don't worry; you'll get the hang of it quickly! You can also track how you feel from day to day with the mood tracker located on the top right hand of the page. Along with this, there is also an anxiety tracker, which of course is perfect for this forum.  Just like with your mood you will be able to track your progress throughout your journey with us here on the forum.  

If you've got something on your mind, please don't be shy or embarrassed! Most of us have "been there and done that!" THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS! We are ALL here to learn!

Get acquainted with other members.....there are several ways to do this. You can scroll over a persons name and "Add a Friend," this allows you to send notes and gives that person access to your journals. Do you want to speak privately with another member? Send a Private Message (PM).   Again, simply scroll over their name and click on "Send Message." Only have a minute but want to welcome a new member? Congratulate someone, wish someone a better day or give someone a 'cyber-hug', then scroll on their name and click on "Send a Note."  Again, welcome to the forum!


Greenlydia and CJ29

[Bethy73]

Hiya there am new to this I suffer from really bad panic attacks and seeing everyone story has helped me to know am not alone xx

[nursegirl6572]

Please start a new thread.  Thanks!

[Paula_c5]

I have had these attacks since I was in my 20s. Mine are always related to emotional stress, that leads to lack of consistent sleep. I then begging having episodes of suddenly feeling as if I've entered a dream , they are always a consistent theme or feeling. Sometimes I smell a odor  that I smell inside , so I can't stay inside, or I feel as if I'm reliving an event that's steady happened. Other times it's as if I've stepped out of reality , the episodes don't last long , maybe 5 minutes , but sometimes I'll have several episodes a day. Once I get enough sleep and deal with the stress these go away, I can go months without a problem.

[nursegirl6572]

You need to copy/paste your post into a new thread hon.

[natrae14]

okay, so nobody will care probably but it still feels nice to get it off my chest. I'm 14 years old. I have social anxiety and I suffer with clinical depression. If I tell my friends I know they don't give a crap. but that's fine, ya know, people have to deal with their own problems, I understand. so, I usually keep it to myself. my social anxiety is pretty bad I assume. I'm afraid to talk to my aunt and uncle. my grandpa and I'm shy around my grandma. I'm afraid to talk to my cousin and great aunt. we all live really close by so we see each other a lot. I am absolutely terrified to talk to the people at my school. I would rather die than talk out I'm front of the class (not exaggering) I deleted my Facebook because I wouldn't post anything and I didn't want people seeing my photos. I didn't chat with anyone. I also deleted my Instagram. I have a tumblr because 1.) I don't follow anyone I know and 2.) it's not my original stuff. I reblog other people's things (if you have a tumblr you'd understand) it's really hard to deal with, being 14. I'm terrified that people would judge me. I had blonde hair with bangs that were side swooped in my face and wore band shirts (I like pop-punk and some screamo music) and aparently, that was considered "emo" so I changed my bangs out of my face and dyed my hair brown. I stopped wearing band shirts and I stopped wearing converse. I didn't get to express myself because I thought people didn't like it. and I shouldn't give a crap about what people think but I can't. my anxiety won't let me. feel free to comment. sorry for writing so much but that's my story

[kimmy742]

hi  im new to all this but last week i suffered from a 2nd panic attack n 6 days later the horrible thoughts n feelings have only just slowley going iam on 10mg of citralopram  on my 6th day i was so scared i felt like i wasnt in control of my mind can u tell me owt else xkim

[rosemoon]

I took Abilify and now have a condition they call Tardive Dyskinesia, a severe nerve disorder that may well be permanent. I can barely walk, my tongue never stops moving.  I get body cramps, have tremors, my jaw clenches, I get hot flashes and cold sweats.  I recommend you STOP taking the Abilify or you could end up crippled like me!

[niclas079]

Wow what a great site and forum ! It's nice to see a place where everybody seems to genuinely understand each others problems, ofc it helps that we are sort of going through the same thing. Me personally, I'm struggling with OCD (officially diagonised) and thoughts/behavious that fall under GAD too.

Anyway, I'm glad we can all support each other here.
Thank you.

[imstillclay]

Hi everyone!  How nice that there is a website that UNDERSTANDS how hard it is to control your own fear/anxiety/heart rythm sometimes!  I have been struggling with anxiety for about a year... my job is REALLY stressful but I'll be stuck there till the economy improves.  I have anxiety attacks (heart palps, sense of fear, moodiness) EVERY night at 8:30 sharp.  These anxiety demons just wont' leave me alone!  It's nice to know there are others who understand and won't judge.

[HRUKICK21]

- http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk/clonazepam.html

look at this website this is to get off klonopin takes years. I am on klonopin three times a day 2m/g and zanax 2m/g twice a day. Wishing I never saw this phyc who just seems to write prescriptions and thats it. I have been on them for so long but want to get off I hope that what ur phyc gave u will work go to that site it tells you how long the klonopin stays in ur system I think its 72 hours before u star withdrawing. Goodluck

[bethbell2010]

I have bad anxiety. I feel alot of symptoms im constantly in fear of dying. I had an mri done it showed an abnormality in my brain. They said it could be anything from hypoglycemia to ms. Today i went to the hospital cuz i felt faint and my blood sugar was 57. Normal blood sugar is supposed to be 100. So im starting to think its hypoglycemia. But i also think i have a nerve damage or something. I feel all kinds of electric shock feelings all over my body tingling prickling. cold hot sensations. burning sensations..balance issues. sleep issues trembling...etc etc. help!!!!!!!!

[OasisKid86]

Hi.  I'm Sammie.. I really hope this site can help me... I have had Panic Disorder since I was 17.  I am supposed to take Klonopin three times a day.. I only take it as needed but now I have this cough.. I like make myself cough.. IDK my DR thinks it's because I am not taking my "meds" religiously and that I should and I would stop making myself cough... Thoughts?

[kingrancher]

Hello: This is my first time at this place and I have had problems with anxiety at times for quite a few years now, since military service when it started. First I used alcohol, and that worked well for a while, then I finally was diagnosed with anxiety about five years ago and was prescribed Xanax, then Ativan, then Clonazepam, and now a combo of Gabapentin and Trazodone. Am taking only the last two and nothing else. Quit the benzos a few days ago and feel fine. Taking the Gaba tabs each 300 mg, two to three tabs per day, and at night take two to three Trazodone tabs at 50 mg each. But this has only been for the past few days. My question is: will I have rebound anxiety due to discontinuation of benzos after taking them fairly regularly for the past two or three years? So far so good with the Gaba and Traz. The Traz is an incredibly effective sleep aid! The Gaba seems effective but it's early yet. Does this early effectiveness mean this combo is really working against the withdawal effects and the long-term anxiety? I know the question is a tough one to answer accurately, but just wanted to get some type of idea for myself. The V.A. psychiatrist who prescribed these last week said no more benzos, and these will work well, she said. But then she said to get an EKG done very soon and a blood test. So this makes me wonder!
Thanks.

[nevesss]

thanks for the welcome

[Jasmyn666]

How exactly do you describe an anxiety attack?

Like for example:

A few months ago, I was home alone and a little bit nervous.  I always feel nervous when home alone.  I have the T.V on and the lights on, well the electrician people came to look at something outside of our house or a sewer guy, can't remember which.  I saw their truck pull in and immediately..freaked.  I turned off the lights and the T.V and hide behind the couch for 10 minutes...Is that an attack?  I don't really quite understand.

[nursegirl6572]

Welcome everyone to the Anxiety forum!  Unfortunately, posting your concerns/questions in the Welcome thread isn't likely to generate a lot of responses for you, as the members do not regularly read and reply to questions here.

Go back to the main Anxiety Forum page and click on "Post a Question", should be located in the top left of your screen, underneath the description of the forum. Then, choose an appropriate title for your thread, so that people can decide at a glance if it is something they could address.  Examples for titles would be..."New on Paxil, have question about side effects"...or "Panic attacks at night, new to anxiety".  Those kinds of things....try to choose a title that is descriptive so that we can know just by reading it what your concerns are.

Welcome to the forum...we're glad you found us and hope we can help you!  Wishing you peace in your day.

Your Anxiety Forum co-Community Leaders:

Nursegirl6572
Greenlydia
CJ29

[fttank]

I'm at a loss as well.  I woke up 3 weeks ago with a pain behind my right eye and didn't think much of it.  Gradually, throughout the next few days, I experienced dizziness and severe headache which moved from eye to eye, temple to temple, and slight pain in the ears. I saw a general practitioner and he thought it was something with my sinuses although I have had no nasal congestion nor post nasal drip.  He ended up prescribing me zythromax antibiotic, over the counter mucinex-D, and another OTC allergy med.  This really did nothing that I can recall other than perhaps take away some of my fatigue.  A week later, still with the original symptoms, I saw an ENT who cleaned my wax-packed ears out and prescribed me Omnicef antibiotic and OTC afrin which I have been on for 9 days now and have not experienced any improvement.  I have experienced severe headaches however, and the disequilibrium brain fog is still very present.  A couple of nights ago, I was very anxious about my condition and other life stress and had what I think was a panic attack as I awoke from my recent sleep and thought the room was closing in on me and had to get up and pace around until it calmed down after 20 minutes. I don't know if the medicine is doing this or a combination of things.  The bottom line is I still have these horrible headaches throughout my head accompanied by a brain fog, disequilibrium and dizziness now for 3 weeks.  I have been missing work due to this and I am usually one to work through pain and sickness.  Anxiety may be exacerbating my symptoms but I need to get to the root of this.  I'm seeing another doc tomorrow.  I'm a 35 year old male in good physical shape. I worked out 4x/wk. every week before this cursed thing has happened.   The symptoms seem be worse in the afternoon.  Any help would be so very greatly appreciated.  God speed to all of you...

[hannahxomichal]

wow thanks for the welcome. :) well i just joined medhelp, so im kinda new to all of this, ive had depression since i was 8,i was diagnosed with a panic disorder when i was 12 and now im 16, :), it feels nice to have people who care about my problems and once again thanks for the amazing welcome.  

[brijesh36]

if any body has anxiety problem because of acid reflux. if they will eat lot of water melon at night then they can sleep well at night for 2 hour. if attack will start again after two hour take more water melon.

[cfstorey]

I can't stop having severe anxiety attacks. When i wake up in the morning, i have a severe attack. shaking, muscle spasms, the overwhelming need to tense all my muscles or hit a punching bag over and over and scream and cry. Gah, the crying. I cry all the time. I will take a 1mg Ativan in the morning as soon as i get up, which takes forever to kick in - leaving a full hour - half hour of this shaking and felling out of my mind.

I'll get to work at 8 and just pass out asleep - the medicine just knocks me out cold. So far no one has caught me yet. But i'll wake up and just start crying again. I'll go to lunch with my mom who will try to talk to me and calm me down, then go back to work where i have another break down of shaking and tensing muscles and crying uncontrollably. All i want during those moments if for someone to sit there and talk to me or hold me and of course no one is there.

About mid-afternoon to evening when i get off work and am back at home with my mom do i feel somewhat normal. zoned a little, but not as out of my mind.

Right now they have me on Pristiq. im 4 days into taking it. And the Adivan 3 times a day as needed. I dont know what to do. Im terrified of everything. Im terrified of being alone, of being forgotten, of being a burden, of making a mistake, or meeting new people, of taking a risk, of everything in my old life suddenly changing and havng that rug ripped out from under me - something i just can't get back. Im afraid of change, of not being in control. Im afriad no one will ever want me.

And all i can do is just sit here in my office 8 hours a day thinking about all of this, not knowing what to do and just wanting it to stop so badly. I dont get to see the Psychiatrist until next week, and then i'll start on weekly sessions. But that doesn't help me now. Im just a very shattered person and i need someone to help me please. Please.

[redding1]

Hello All,
I'm diagnosed with GAD. I have always been wound up tight, but I used it as motivate to get things done until I hit my thirties. I broke down (old days it was called nervous breakdown) and had no coping skills what so ever. Long story short, several months ago I experienced several health scares which flew me into panic and from then on I've been a wreck. I'm currently on Celexa 20mg and Remeron 45 mg. I also take Klonopin off and on (.25mg). I hope to drop the Celexa soon as it did not help in the beginning. I don't know which one is working, but I know the Celexa did not. So we'll see when I start weaning off of it next month. The (Remeron has me sleeping like a baby now days)  Anyway, I'm glad to be here to help support any way I can. I know GAD is terrible, but it is treatable!

[Kel5]

hi all,
I have been posting and following this forum for a little while now. I am a 34 yr old female who has been dealing with anxiety and depression for around 9 years. I realize now though that I have actually been experiencing depression symptoms since I was young. My symptoms increased once I went to college and was away from my parents house. I think it was because I finally felt safe to "feel".  My symptoms have been increasing lately. I look forward to posting more questions and offering any support I can.
Kellie

[ChelliDynamite]

I am soooo glad I found this forum!!!  

[shellybelly5724]

Hi all!!
Been watching this forum for quite a while now.  Dealing with my anxiety for over 20 years on my own, but I finally went to the doc for it yesterday.  Finally!  I have always prided in my independence and insisted that I could take anything on, but I just couldn't handle the anxiety on my own anymore.  Found myself drinking more than normal.  IBS was out of control.  Facial tingling like crazy.  So relieved to have finally done something about it.  I think seeing that there are so many people out there going through the same thing made me not feel like such a wacko!!  Anyway, doc put me on 5mg Lexapro.  Definitely feel a difference.  Little tired, hoping my body will get used to it.  Anyone have any feedback bout it?  Hope everyone is having a great day!