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3133784 tn?1345257850

Severe anxiety

I posted a few months ago about my anxiety, but it's hard to deal with when no one really knows how you feel. I've been prescribed Lorazepam for my anxiety and I take one daily and all my anxiety just goes away - it really helps, but I don't want to be on pills for the rest of my life and I'm scared that my anxiety is NEVER going to go away. It's gotten really bad lately (which is why the pills) but the worst part is, I have this feeling like my throat is going to close up. It never does, but I just hate that feeling I have. It scares me and then my anxiety just shoots up and I have an instant panic attack. Anyone else have that feeling with their anxiety? Any tips on how I can cope with this so I won't have to be on pills for the rest of my life? Thanks!
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Avatar universal
Ive been having having anxiety and panic attacks for the last 2 yrs.I know exactly how you feel,its hard to talk to your family and friends because they just don't understand. I have the throat thing too,esp after taking a new med or something,Im scared to try new foods and I stopped eating seafood because i thought i would have an allergic reaction and my throat would close.I don't ride elevators anymore,this anxiety thing has really gotten bad and is affecting my life.I have no desire to travel or anything anymore. I was taking Ativan but had an allergic reaction the other night(sigh),Im just lost. I pray that we all get over this soon so that we can get back to a normal life. God bless you all.
Helpful - 0
695000 tn?1316136048
Hello.  I actually didn't have any side effects with Lexapro...I took Zolaft for a while but I was having nightmares and had bad thoughts...but Lexapro was great.  But of course the side effects may be different for you....ask your doctor and try it for a while.  Good Luck.
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3185406 tn?1345381829
Did you have any side effects from the Lexapro?  I'm currently on Zoloft and thinking of switching because of side effects.
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695000 tn?1316136048
Anti Depressants can work wonders...I agree.  Years ago, my doctor put me on Lexapro and I almost never had the anxiety attacks anymore.  Now I am on Prozac and it's not helping (maybe even causing)...so I am about to go back on Lexapro.  However, I never, ever am anywhere without my Lorezepam....It has to be in my purse (or with me) at all times....I totally feel for you...unless if you have had these terrible attacks...,you can not understand how misrable they are...Hope you feel better soon...
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3185406 tn?1345381829
I completely understand.  I've been having anxiety for 10+ years now and cannot manage without antidepressants.  I don't want to rely on Xanax.  Have you ever tried an antidepressant?  They can be Godsends!!
Helpful - 0
3133784 tn?1345257850
I'm not on anything except for Lorazepam and I notice that my throat feels like it's closing up when my anxiety/stress is REALLY high and it goes away when I take a pill and I'm calm. My problem is though I can't get rid of that feeling unless I take a pill. So that makes me worry that I'm going to have to be on pills for the rest of my life *worried look* There are days when I wish I didn't have anxiety at all or I was able to have stress like normal people ya know, the kind that's not a major issue..
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3185406 tn?1345381829
I take Xanax, as needed, as it goes away.  I just recently started on Zoloft, so I'm wondering if it's a side effect?
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3133784 tn?1345257850
exactly! the only time it goes away for me is when i take my lorazepam. it's a scary feeling and i constantly think i'm going to die :(
Helpful - 0
3185406 tn?1345381829
I have the throat thing, too!!!  It feels like someone's hand is around it, squeezing. :(
Helpful - 0
3133784 tn?1345257850
Thank you. I like knowing I'm not the only one out there b/c like I said it's hard trying to talk to people around me b/c they don't have it so I don't think they'd get it and i end up sounding like a broken record. I do notice that when I try nd focus on other things it goes away, but they it's hard when I keep thinking "my throat's going to close up and I'm going to die" even though it never does. When I'm in one of my moods (w/out lorazepam) it's hard to grasp the fact that "I'M NOT GOING TO DIE" ya know? I was fine a few months ago and then it's like I hit my stress limit and it all cam crashing down. I pray for the day when I won't need my pills and I can go back to enjoying life once again :)
Helpful - 0
695000 tn?1316136048
I am so sorry you are going through this...I am too and I hate it....hate ..hate ...hate the attacks!  I have read everything there is about anxiety and I know they are not really dengerous but everytime I get one, I feel like I am dying.  I too take Lorazepam and it's like water on fire...but I am afraid of the day that Lorazepam would stop working for me...and this medicine is highly addictive....so ...please try not to take any unless if you absoulutely need it...I try to control my mild attacks with breathing....breathe into a bag...., try to get distracted...(showers help me a little...sometimes) ...and also listen to this audios on: www.kp.org/listen (there is one for anxiety)  ....hope this helps a lettle....
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