Am I going crazy

[Ash2213]

A little more then a year ago I was put on medication for anxiety. I take 40 milligrams of celexa every day and .5 of xanex as needed. I was on my medication for about 9 months and then decided that I felt better and I went off. I am going through a really nasty divorce and custody case right now. All of my attacks started coming back. I am back on my meds now for about a month but they just keep coming back. Today I was fine. All of a sudden I felt like my hart was pounding not racing like it normally dose. My hands and feet got really clammy. I also felt like I was having hart burn and it was going all over my chest. I have this burning sensation that goes from my left chest into my back and all the way through my left arm. My jar hurts and I feel like I am walking through a fog. When I told a friend how I felt she told me that sounds like I am having a hart attack. Is all of this from having a new kind of anxiety attack or do I need to be worried? Now that she told me that I feel like that is what it is. On top off all that I have not sleep more then three hours a night for the last week. When I do sleep I feel like I wake up having an attack or my hands are num so I freak out. What is wrong with me?

[wishforchange]

Hi, just throwing another one in the hat of answers.  I can't comment on you medications, but as one who takes an anti-anxiety medication (valium) daily as a muscle relaxant, and finds it actually does nothing for my mood,  I am aware that all things work differently for people.  I find when I am stressed, which is lots, I actually get pretty stunning relief from herbal tranquilizers such as those containing valerian and/or lettuce leafe and lemon and, gosh...something or other...all these years and still can't remember the ingredients!  One brand in particular works a dream with me.

These tablets do not work like regular tranquilizers, there is not a point where you suddenly feel them 'kick in'.  With me the evidence of their effectiveness is retrospective, I realise that somehow I've mellowed out, stopped being tearful, angry, scared, whatever.  And in over ten years of using one product quite regularly I have never had to increase the dose, they just do their job quietly.  Don't knock the idea.  Personally, for anxiety, given the choice between a whole handful of valium and a couple of these herbal pills the herbals will win any time.  And this coming from a person who takes industrial strength controlled substance pain control on a daily basis.  I'm no alternative medicine preacher, just know when a treatment works.  Accupuncture is great too, it can be so strong it has been known to be used instead of anaesthetic.  I have it for chronic pain.  Fight as I will within minutes I'm unable to do anything but stare into space like a zombie once the needles are in place.  Suppose the short answer is look into alternative meds and treatments too, these can be used alongside your regulars as long as you clear it with your doctor.  

Try to steer clear of St. John's Wort without careful medical advice, some react very badly to it.

[Jason Greenberg, Ph.D.]

It sounds to me from what you're describing that your anxiety and panic attacks have worsened as a result of the divorce proceedings.  I realize that you are on medication for anxiety (Celexa is an anti-depressant by the way, and Xanax is an older anxiolytic), but who is prescribing you these?  A psychiatrist or internist/primary care physician?  If it is your internist, I would recommend you seek out a psychiatrist if feasible.  Generally, psychiatrists have a much better sense of what medications will work best for what specific manifestations of anxiety and panic attacks better than primary care physicians.  Also, you should consider seeking psychotherapy in addition to the medication -- research has indicated time and time again that psychotherapy in conjunction with medication is most effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety.