Is it anxiety or something else

[franceslee]

Im not really sure how to say everything that I need to but here it goes...I had anxiety really bad for a while to the point I didnt leave my home, then I found out I was pregnant and everything went back to normal.  I had my baby six months ago and the symptoms are even worse!  I think its anxiety again.  I wake up feeling like something is wrong with me, nervous, tired, scared, and I just dont feel normal.  My doctor had given me a prescription for Paxil but I am afraid to take it, I have made an appointment to start seeing a therapist.  I need advice...is my anxiety back or is it something worse???  What would you recommend about the Paxil and what do I do about the symptoms.

Please help!

[franceslee]

I dont know how to determine is if is post-pardum depression?  how would they know?

[suzi-q]

FYI-fluoxetine is prozac

[suzi-q]

I take Paxil.  I have for 12 years.  It has been a life saver for me.  Of course, all ssris effect people differently but it is worth a try if you are not adverse to taking meds.  Remember, it takes 2-3 weeks to get into your system.  Some people suffer from side effects when beginning this or any ssris.  The suggestion is to give it the time it needs to see if it works..if, however the side effects are just so terrible, talk to your doctor about trying a different one.  Also, by any chance was it ever discussed that it may be post-pardum depression?  

[franceslee]

Thanks for the advice! What is fluoxetine?  I have never heard of it?  does it have bad side effects?

[jfamilia142]

take cold showers lay in bed and rest alot and this should calm u down..and keeping ur mind busy the only way 2 scape anxiety is fighting it...fluoxetine prevents from getting anxiety .thats wat my doc prescribed and it works..but before i had medication i used 2 take a cold or real hot shower depending how the weather is and that calms u way down...and laying in bed and watching tv like funny shows and getting into it helps ur mind calm ur self down...but if u panic and pay mind when u get the anxiety it makes it worst..u have 2 fight it...i learn how 2 and this is the way i do it i hope it helps.

[franceslee]

what is the fish oil for?  Have you ever tried  drinkin chamomile tea to help relax?  When your really stressed does it seem to make the anxiety worse?

[melyndamw]

I am not on meds either, I had yucky side effects with lexapro, I am to affraid to try anything else, I to have been back and forth to the ER and about a dozen doctors and they all say the samething ANXIETY, I now have to reasure myself that thats all it is no matter how crappy I feel it is just anxiety and I know I am not dying, its a very scary feeling, but for me reading other peoples symptoms makes me feel a little at ease. So your not alone even though you may feel that way, I was told to see a cognative therapist but unfortunatly I live in a small city and we dont have them around here, so maybe llok into that? Hope you can feel better.

[tostressed]

I am not on meds now. I am unable to take any antidepressents. The side effects are horrible for me and make me feel worse. My anxiety was bad too, when one day I went from getting normal bp readings to going to my doctor and it was elevated one day. They thought nothing of it. I thought Oh no here goes my heart. I was afraid I had high BP because my mom did. She recently lost a lot of weight and went of the Meds and is doing fine. For a couple of years every time I went to the Dr. My blood pressure was up. I thoughf for sure I had high blood pressure and should be on meds. The doctor said Anxiety. I ended up developing white coat syndrome. I hated to have my bp taken. I had anxiety every time they would take it. Now I use my moms and get a good reading all the time. My fear is no longer  there.

Ways that I deal with anxiety is trying to keep myself busy. I have no problems unless I think about my symptoms. I like to exercise. I eat healthier. I take a multi vitamin and just started taking Omega fish oil and cal mag zinc a few months ago. I am doing a lot better then I was.

If you want to go back to your doctor then I would to help you reassure yourself. Talk to them and tell them how you have been feeling.

[franceslee]

Thanks for the advice!  I don't really have any trouble with the breathing, its just I feel weird all the time and it drives me crazy!  I have been to a doctor a lot and everything has always came back normal...I did have an EKG that came back with some t-wave changes but I went to a cardiologist and he said he doesnt feel it has anything to do with my heart.  I think I am afraid to take the medication, what if I have a bad side effect or something?  Are you on meds now?  Would you suggest I go back to the doctor?  My anxiety really started after a doctor had told me I had high blood pressure and didnt explain anything about it.  I went to the ER all the time thinking I was having a heart attack or something that was connected to high blood pressure.  My bloodpressure is fine so I dont have any clue what I am so anxious or afraid of now.  
DO YOU ANYMORE ADVICE OR THINGS THAT I COULD TRY TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DEAL WITH??

[melyndamw]

I never had anxiety until I had my first son 6 years ago I had a real hard pregnancy, my son had to stay in the NICU  for 1 month, thats when it all began, it finally went away after 2 years then I got pregnant with my second son and have had it ever since I went to a womens health doc, she checked everything, all my hormone levels and everything were out of wack, I was only 30 years old at the time, she wanted to start me on natural hormones, but part of my anxiety is taking meds, I have been dealing with this for almost 4 years now it sucks. I did go to a lady who taught me how to breath right again and oh my did it help, I always remind myself to breath. I hope this helps ease your mind, try having all your levels checked.

[tostressed]

It does sound like anxiety, but have you had a full physical with your doctor. If he gave you paxil then I am assuming you did. If you dont want to take the paxil, then dont just yet. Wait until you see the therapist and see what they say. Is it just a therapist or a psychiatrist?

I use to wake up feeling the way you do. It is an awful feeling. The first thing you need to do is try and figure out what triggered all this. Did something happen?  Or you might have nothing that triggers it, it just happens. That is how my anxiety is now. I don't have hardly anymore panic attacks, but when I do get one it comes on for no reason. I would see the therapist and see what they say and then go from there. Hang in there. Things will get better. Enjoy your new baby.

Tara