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

[Sue357]

Thanks for the warm welcome.  I have been a Medhelp member since my colon resection 6 months ago.  I have also been a clinical depressive since age 9 ( am 51 now ) and have suffered from anxiety, as well.  Since my surgery the anxiety has really manifested itself big time.  I worry constantly about my health, recovery, etc.,.  Anyway, it is great that you have this forum and again, thanks for the welcome.

[RubyWitch]

Hi..........I'm really glad you found our forum and let me apologize for taking so long to get back with you. Summer is a time we get a bit "lazy" with things and we need to remind ourselves that folks have issues every day.

Did your colon resection go as planned? How is your recovery coming along? I assume you have been to your doctor for follow up exams.........what do they have to say? I can understand how this type of surgery would cause a flare in your anxiety. I trust you are talking to your doc about ALL of your feelings. They should be able to reassure you about your recovery and if they aren't, you need to get in their face and get the answers you deserve. If you are seeing your surgeon for follow up care, they are notorious for a bedside manner of "treat 'em and street 'em," and to hell with your emotional needs!  

You say you have been clinically depressed since the age of 9. Are you seeing a doctor and therapist for this? Are you on any medication for the depression?

Since the anxiety has increased since the surgery, it may be a good time for a visit with your PCP and discuss this with him/her. Perhaps a short course of an anti-anxiety med may be just what you need right now while you cope with your recovery.

Doctors these days are so overwhelmed with seeing as many patients a day as they can, you really need to get pro-active about your care and not leave their office until you are satisfied that all your questions and concerns have been adequately addressed. You may be their patient, but they work FOR YOU. If they aren't doing their job, it's your right to fire them and find someone who will do the job right. You deserve the very best health care and you should demand you get it.

Keep us posted, OK? And write whenever you need to, we'll try to do better about getting back to you sooner!
Peace
Greenlydia

[burningup]

again thanks for the warm welcome, i love this website, i've obtained more info then searching around myself or just asking around(where i'm @) do you suffer from aniexty(i only read a short bit of what you wrote?)

[erbill]

awesome INTRO INTO THIS 'TOUCHY' SUBJECT..TO SAY THE LEAST..... the thread on weather its a 'mental illness' or not was VERY good...BUT i say "Even if it IS(& it is classified in the DSM-IV as a MENTAL-ILLNESS ( I VIEW IT AS A dissorder, AS I DO MY BI-POLAR....I THINK A DISORDER is more appropriate when its a MISSING CHEMICAL ur dealing with, as opposed to a more DESTROYED Physcial organ/tissues BUT that my 2 Cents worth!) and with ur awesome intro Cj29, into all the things we can do for it...i dusted off my 6 yr old, and my refresher stuff(yr and a half) on MY Anxiety Dissorder Personal Notes from One-on-One and even the notes i took when talking to trusted friends... I Mean My PTSD/Anxiety Attacks were unpredictable as to whom or where or what,,,,ORSO I THOUGHT!!! we found , literally, dozens of triggers for them..NOWDAYS i Rarely have to leave the store because i see sandbag barricades, and people in combat gear dissapearing around the edges of the asiles, or glanceat a young teen-ager, and see him  inna blood splattered unoiform, and then not be able to breath,,,my chest so tight i thought i was dying there..... Thank GOD i HAVE A PARTNER that we share everything, and she could spot the signs of N ATTACK...SHE HELPPED WITH THE TRIGGERS  even! aND SHE WOULD GET ME BACK TO THE TRUCK,,,SAT DOWN...SMOKE A BIT...TAKE A pain pill( YES SOMETIMES IT WAS JUST BECAUSE OF AN ELEVATED pain-level) BUT IT REALLY TOOK ME 2 SESSIONS OF 9 MONTHS 2-TIMES A WEEK AT THE va AND A SECOND SESSION OF 3 MONTHS 4.5 YRS LATER, JUST TO brush up ON IT..im soo sorry about the caps..i cant type and look at the same time ...yet...lol BUT the point here is , at least in MY CASE, the Anxiety Attacks were able to be FACED with the 4 step method in the forums, and the first 2 definately were the hardest....accepting the fear, and letting it flow 'Past, Thru, Around, and AWAY from you" usuelly, after i got the hang of the problem, i was BACK AT WHAT I WAS DOING w/in 15 minutes.....i also found logging what i felt(in order) and what i did to stop it in a diary(with MOOD CHARTING) helped..i could REVIEW and ,hopefully, desensitize THAT Particular "BUTTON" if u will.... WELL i have to update some profile...i can tell from my last 4 hours in this website it will be a DAILY VISIT!!! thanks CJ keep it up!

[Marky31]

Thanks for this forum :) It seems like no matter who you go to, someone always gives you a dirty look or a negative comment when you mention anything like a mental condition, antidepressants, anxiety, panic attacks, benzidiazepines.. anything like that. It's comforting to know that theres a place like this on here, you all seem like amazing people and i hope i can keep t his comfortable feeling here.

[Sue357]

Hi.  Thanks for the encouragement.  Yes, I am under the care of a psychiatrist.  I also have a PCP, as well, but my shrink is the one who manages my care.  We recently had to make a med adjustment as I experienced what he called "Zoloft failure".  I was put back on Celexa (60mg daily) plus I take Klonopin TID.  I seem to be doing better.  My surgeon ordered a CT scan and all results came back normal.  Also, thanks for reinforcing my need to be more proactive.  I am firing my GI, who I have had for about 12 years as he thinks I'm just this neurotic woman.  He had the gall to ask me, in my first follow up with him...)mind you he was not involved whatsoever in my surgery, as I found out he does not have priveleges, any longer, where I had it done) "Why do I feel the need to be sick, is it for attention?".  I have a BS in Psych and am a teacher so a little familiar with mental illness.  I responded no, I think it is a false sense of control  ha ha. I told my shrink and he agrees with me.  Anyway, thanks so much and I will keep you posted.

[leezy21]

I HAVE SEVERE SEVERE ANXIETY I AM TAKIN EFFEXOR XR. THE FIRST MONTH WAS HORRIABLE  I HAD BAD SIDE EFFECTS BUT THAN IT GOT GOOD AND I STARTED FEELING NORMAL AGAIN I GET OCASSIONAL PANIC ATTACKS AND THIS WEIRD SENSATION ALMOST LIKE THERE IS ICY HOT  ALL OVER MY BODY AND ITS TINGLY AND WEIRD WHAT IS THAT ??????? AND LAST WEEK I HAD A SEVERE ATTACK CAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A LUMP IN MY THROAT AND ITS TIGHT I DONT KNOW Y   BUT I FREAK OUT AND ENDED UP IN THE EMEREGENY ROOM. THE WEIRD THROAT THANG HAS NOT GONE AWAY WHAT IS IT THE DOC SAID ITS NORMAL BUT **** IT HAS NOT GONE AWAY HE PERSCRIBED ME XANAX AND WHEN I WAS THERE HE GAVE ME ATIVAN WHICH  A WHILE BACK A DOCTOR GAVE ME I HAVE NOT TOOKIN EITHER ONE  YET THE ATIVAN DID MAKE ME EXTREMLY DROWSEY LIKE I WAS HIGH BUT THE  FEELIN WENT AWAY ITS BETTER TODAY BUT STILL ITS NOT TOTALLY GONE I WAS DOIN SO WELL WITH MY ANXIETY BUT NOW IT SEEMED TO SNEEK BACK UP ON ME AND USUALLY WHEN I HAVE AN ATTACK IT GOES AWAY BUT THAT TIME IT DIDNT


CAN U PLEASE HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS

SORRY I WROTE A BOOK LOL

[Marebears]

I HAVENT REALLY BEEN ON THIS FORM BUT ONCE OR TWICE BUT I AM A 34 YR OLD MOTHER OF 4 WITH A SEVERE MANIC DEPRESSIVE/BI~POLAR DISORDER. 7 YEARS I GOT HOOKED ON DRUGS BY A PERSCRIPTION GIVIN TO ME BY A DR.!!!! 3YRS AGO I STARTED A METHADONE CLINIC AND GOT MY LIFE BACK AND MY FAMILY!!!! NOW I HAVE PANIC ATTACKS AND HORRIBLE NIGHTMARES! I HOPED THE ABILIFY THEY PUT ME ON WOULD HELP BUT NOW I HAVE REALLY BAD LEG AND ARM CRAMPS AND THEY SAY ITS SIDE AFFECTS! DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MEDICATION? IF SO WHAT DO YOU DO FOR IT? ANY ADVICE WILL HELP!!!!  :)
                                                                THANX, MARE~BEAR:)

[Lodow]

You did not say  what  meds  you were hooked on--was it lorazepam? I just  sent in a note  about  that one--When I asked my Dr  if I could get hooked on  it--he says  at this point  -you are looking for relief--you should not be worried about getting  hooked on the med. Yes,  different  kinds of meds  can cause  cramps and leg pains  --I have a bad knee with no cartilage--need  a knee replacement, but scared to have it done. I suffer  these  cramps from  meds also.  side efects yes. i wake  up at night  with leg  cramps so bad I have to  get up and walk it off--so to speak. Try to  be as chemical free as you can live---especially with  4 children to rear. i know the panic  attacks are hard to live with-- I Had a friend  who had them  all her life --She finally found that xanex was the only thing that  helped  her with the panic attacks.  I  hope that  you will be able to  stay  off the drugs and  be free of the panic attacks --Sometimes the meds are worse than the  actual  ailment  being  treated
  Have a good day!
Lodow

[JennaBennaBean]

i cant believe im here....i have anxiety all the time, but i can live with that.  its all ive ever known.  ive always had panic attacks.  theyre terrifying and i know that thats not normal to live with constantly.  i just want to establish myself in this group, bc ive gone through it ever since i remember, and i think that the scariest thing ever is not knowing whats going on medically with you.  as a nurse ive learned...... ill never know completely, nor understand, bc what we have to live with on a daily basis is just plain cruel...no one deserves nor understands it.  i only hope to sympathize with others and they do the same for me, and if i can answer any questions, awesome, if not, i Will find out.  the not know and waiting is cruel and unnecessary to us all.  My name is Jenna, and I have a problem with chronic anxiey.  please accept me.

[SooooooStressed]

I have found a online home & so happy for that!
I promise not to be anxious around you!  :-)

~V

[OXY_FREE]

Hi Jenna
I just wanted you to know im thinking of you and you are in my prayers.
I have been there,and know what you are going through,
            OXY

[veela_girl]

The forum is great and i've learnt quite a bit so far. Hope i can be here for a long time, at the site i mean. you guys are great!

Thank you,
Ame

[JonnyDoez]

Although I have not been officially diagnosed, it is safe to assume that I'm a big-time hypochondriac. My question is: is it normal for me to shift my focus from one disease to another as time goes by? A few years ago it was mainly cancer. Now, it's been STDs. I always practice safe sex but afterwards I freak out for long periods of time until I can get tested and then relax again.

Any ideas? Thanks

[hari3070]

Hii thanks everyone.I am new to this website. i think its great .Ok I am 23 years old .
I am too anxious . My hands often shake when i notice my work is being seen or watched by some one. So the fear that i might shake my hand has always kept me away from doing many things . Stage fear is also too much for me .I am from india.
How can i overcome this???

Thank you
harikrishnan

[Jani23]

Hi, Thanks for the welcome; new to this website.  I am 23 years old and have been suffering from anxiety for the past 4 years, I have been on zoloft since.  Zoloft has worked, but I still do have my episodes.  I have an extreme fear of death, losing control, and choking.  I recently started seeing a pyschiatrist and bahavioral therapist <--- their awesome.  I have a lot of support from my husband, but my parents think that I am a "drama queen".  

I am so glad I found this community.  

Love,

Jani

[Cherie762]

Very well said . thank you

[NJshoreGirl]

Thanks,for the welcome.I am such a lost cause..LOL..I hope i can get help here.:(

[boogieman]

hello. thought i had already joined this one, but guess not. diagnoses (past, present and future) include depression, anxiety disorders, ocd, ptsd, and chemical dependence.

[kyval]

I am so glad that i came across this site tonight.. I have only been suffering from extreme anxiety for about a week, i have had full panic attacks on and off. I am 26, married and have a 3 year old son, I attend collegs and i tutor anatomy and physiology and microbilogy, I am sick of thinking of all the things that can kill me, and if all my symptoms are truly due to anxiety, i quit the health feild..lol.. I was put on celexa today and it has made me feel awful.. and to JANI23 you could be my sister! i am the drama queen and fear dying, and think something awful is about to take me out, and i can't stand the thought of getting choked..
Anyway, everyone here is so great, and i pray ALL OF US WILL FIND A WAY TO BE THIS... best wishes to all, and thank u for letting me part of your community,

[willl882]

I could wish you the best or tell everyone general things about the anxiety issues we are going through.
   First of all, I want you, everyone, to be happy, to gain concious of your mind and body,and have a very honest friend. I  go through the same symtoms. my hart begins beating faster, my hands start shaking, and my mind functions does not function properly. This happens only when i come across a group of people or general public, specially when i am been notice.  But a good supporting friend will libarate you from alot of this thought. Thant is why is crutial to have an honest friend.
Keep taking your medications and always think positive, standup against any obstacle, and keep trying.
You be laughing if you knew how much effort i have to make daily in order me to do my daily work. Not because there is no respect coming from you.  The reason is that when i talk to anyone, for the general part, I start having attacks, making people around me feel the same.  But , I armed my self steem and strong mind with my best notions and succeed.  
I always face my fears, yet is like climing a mountain on your back.
I am just like you, I also need support and some inpiration from you.
I wish you a sea of happiness,

[Drifa]

Hello everyone, I've been having some concerns lately about an increasing anxiety issue I've been facing. I am a type A personality, age 15, female, recently diagnosed with minor tick disorder, sleep deprivation, and O.C.D. tendencies, and have been feeling excessively paranoid and anxious as of late. I am constantly looking over my shoulders, and am weary of everything around me. I am still paranoid in well-lit places, and cannot stop my restless mind. Any advice?

[Bon-Bon]

Thank you for the warm welcome.  This forum is warm, friendly and helpful.

[Jan09]

Hi:
I'm glad I found this forum and that I am not alone in suffering from anxiety.
Thank you,
Jan09