Aa
Is this really Anxiety???
I am 22 years old, and had a daughter 7 months ago. About a month after giving birth I started feeling chest pressure, nausea, "SHORTNESS OF BREATHE", that is my major problem. Feels like I am being strangled or my chest is going to explode. I hate the feeling. I feel it Every single day. It is interfering with my daily life so bad. I was in and out of the hospital, they couldnt find anything wrong so said it was most likely anxiety. So I have been on lexapro and xanax 0.5 mg for about 5 months now. It helped a little when the symptoms came, but now they dont help at all. I just was switched to Zoloft 50 mgs and am taking more xanax than prescribed because I am feeling worse and worse. Sometimes they help, sometimes they dont. I need help. I cant get in with a pysciatrist till june, and I am suffering everyday. Now instead of 3 xanax a day I was taking for 5 months, I actually had to take 6 today...I am so upset and it is making me feel hopeless. Is it really Anxiety...I never knew that anxiety could be this bad! Somebody help me!!!
Gosh I wish the breathing exercises and the 4 hour prayer sessions, and the THERAPY sessions helped me during my 3 week non stop panic attack. The unfortunate truth is they did nothing for me. After I had some severe (in my opinion) trauma occur in my life, it simply put me over the edge. No relaxation tape or "one step method" or fox hole prayer would even put a small dent in the endless panic, pacing, thinking it was all over thing I was experiencing.
I have had panic attacks all my life and was able to work through them with THERAPY and reaching out to others, taking action, eliminating procrastination and so on. I fought taking any meds for years. I spent so many years fighting this on my own that I had forgotten what or who I even was. I was a bitter non tolerant person.
I finally relented and started a medication. It was a revalation; a PROFOUND change. I finally felt real again not consumed with self centered fear and anger. I had been in THERAPY off an on for many years, and succesfully, but there was always still a void that made me feel alone and unique (in a bad way). I am on one medication and go to AA and THERAPY. I have stated above how inneffective, and in my opinion dangerous it was for me to just try to HANG IN THERE, or go to THERAPY were I was told to think happy thoughts and listen to soothing music. I have nothing against THERAPY but I am glad I took the appropriate medical action. I have no desire to remain on an SSRI for the rest of my life; but it took that med to clear my mind and remove the paralyzing fear.THERAPY is fine but certainly not the answer for every situation. Panic, depression, addiction are like snowflakes every one is different. Normal panic attack = breathing and hanging in there. 3 week life flashing before your eyes, pacing, shaking = ER and screaming at the top of your lungs for HELP.
After all the THERAPY and THERAPIST I have seen over the years I am very thankful I finally took care of the chemical problem. My goal is certainly not to be on a med for the rest of my life, but I dont have to worry about that right now, I need it all, and want it all.
I am very happy for those who have used only THERAPY. I am happy for those who can drink socially, but for this snowflake, I finally took action and did what I needed to do.
Go to an M.D. or D.O. or cancel list Psychiatrist and tell all, get the meds straight; then and only then... Breath in the calm and breath out the fear. Get off of the XANAX (under Dr supervision) now!!! I hope you can find THERAPY that cost less than $180 per hour. I have been through some great THERAPY the best being "inner child" by Bradshaw. It did not help though during the crushing 3 week panic, nor did praying.
I wish you the best and please dont wait until June. Go to a good D.O. or M.D or call a Psychiatrist and explain the circumstances... and tell all.
Sincerely
kcdem
I have had panic attacks all my life and was able to work through them with THERAPY and reaching out to others, taking action, eliminating procrastination and so on. I fought taking any meds for years. I spent so many years fighting this on my own that I had forgotten what or who I even was. I was a bitter non tolerant person.
I finally relented and started a medication. It was a revalation; a PROFOUND change. I finally felt real again not consumed with self centered fear and anger. I had been in THERAPY off an on for many years, and succesfully, but there was always still a void that made me feel alone and unique (in a bad way). I am on one medication and go to AA and THERAPY. I have stated above how inneffective, and in my opinion dangerous it was for me to just try to HANG IN THERE, or go to THERAPY were I was told to think happy thoughts and listen to soothing music. I have nothing against THERAPY but I am glad I took the appropriate medical action. I have no desire to remain on an SSRI for the rest of my life; but it took that med to clear my mind and remove the paralyzing fear.THERAPY is fine but certainly not the answer for every situation. Panic, depression, addiction are like snowflakes every one is different. Normal panic attack = breathing and hanging in there. 3 week life flashing before your eyes, pacing, shaking = ER and screaming at the top of your lungs for HELP.
After all the THERAPY and THERAPIST I have seen over the years I am very thankful I finally took care of the chemical problem. My goal is certainly not to be on a med for the rest of my life, but I dont have to worry about that right now, I need it all, and want it all.
I am very happy for those who have used only THERAPY. I am happy for those who can drink socially, but for this snowflake, I finally took action and did what I needed to do.
Go to an M.D. or D.O. or cancel list Psychiatrist and tell all, get the meds straight; then and only then... Breath in the calm and breath out the fear. Get off of the XANAX (under Dr supervision) now!!! I hope you can find THERAPY that cost less than $180 per hour. I have been through some great THERAPY the best being "inner child" by Bradshaw. It did not help though during the crushing 3 week panic, nor did praying.
I wish you the best and please dont wait until June. Go to a good D.O. or M.D or call a Psychiatrist and explain the circumstances... and tell all.
Sincerely
kcdem
Hello there!
Firstly, I can totally relate to your symptoms all three of them the nausea, the chest pressure and of course the shortness of breath, they are all to familiar with myself, I personally have been suffering on and off with anxiety and panic attacks for the last nine years. I am a 35 year old mother of two children aged almost nine and six. Thankfully, I have now come to a stage of almost full recovery from the above as I have learnt how to control my symptoms on my own, with the help of a therapist, a good diet, excercise and above all the sincere help and encouragement of everyone that ever replied to any of my posts here on this very special forum, because without you guys I don't think I could have ever gotten over the final hurdles, and especially one particular special lady in my life (greenlydia) the help that she gave me is gone beyond my words. I also got some really great advice from JSGeare (another great person)
Anyhow, enough about me, lets start with you, now I have to be honest with you, I can help you from the bottom of my heart with some good sound advice and instructions on to beating this anxiety that you seem to be experiencing at the moment, but on the medication front I can not give you any advice as I have never ever taken anything for my anxiety in the way of medicine, the only way I know to stopping and above all treating it is through "mind over matter" alongside, a very good diet, excercise and trying my hardest not to focus or dwell in on any given symptom, as I know only too well what that can do, it can create havoc in oneself, if you defer your attention to any given physical symptom they generally disappear after a short while, so when the chest is feeling tight and uncomfortable, how about trying to defer that symptom with a few easy breathing excercises, breathing in calm, and breathing out fear, that sounds a bit mad I know, but it actually works, try it the next time for a few minutes and let me know how you get on. Remember now, breathing in "CALM" and breathing out "FEAR". You will find that it actually works for you, which I am really and truelly hoping that it does and indeed will - nothing ventured nothing gained.
The shortness of breath that you are experiencing is exactly the same as the tightness in the chest, it is all a load of tension, pressure, nerves, agitation, focussing, dwelling, mind stopping ANXIETY, and IT WILL PASS, IT WILL ALL PASS EVENTUALLY, just be strong and give it time.
You have joined a really good forum here, which I know that you will be well looked after and above all advised, so do keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.
I hope that I was of help to you.
Best wishes always, and do keep in touch.
Sunset
Firstly, I can totally relate to your symptoms all three of them the nausea, the chest pressure and of course the shortness of breath, they are all to familiar with myself, I personally have been suffering on and off with anxiety and panic attacks for the last nine years. I am a 35 year old mother of two children aged almost nine and six. Thankfully, I have now come to a stage of almost full recovery from the above as I have learnt how to control my symptoms on my own, with the help of a therapist, a good diet, excercise and above all the sincere help and encouragement of everyone that ever replied to any of my posts here on this very special forum, because without you guys I don't think I could have ever gotten over the final hurdles, and especially one particular special lady in my life (greenlydia) the help that she gave me is gone beyond my words. I also got some really great advice from JSGeare (another great person)
Anyhow, enough about me, lets start with you, now I have to be honest with you, I can help you from the bottom of my heart with some good sound advice and instructions on to beating this anxiety that you seem to be experiencing at the moment, but on the medication front I can not give you any advice as I have never ever taken anything for my anxiety in the way of medicine, the only way I know to stopping and above all treating it is through "mind over matter" alongside, a very good diet, excercise and trying my hardest not to focus or dwell in on any given symptom, as I know only too well what that can do, it can create havoc in oneself, if you defer your attention to any given physical symptom they generally disappear after a short while, so when the chest is feeling tight and uncomfortable, how about trying to defer that symptom with a few easy breathing excercises, breathing in calm, and breathing out fear, that sounds a bit mad I know, but it actually works, try it the next time for a few minutes and let me know how you get on. Remember now, breathing in "CALM" and breathing out "FEAR". You will find that it actually works for you, which I am really and truelly hoping that it does and indeed will - nothing ventured nothing gained.
The shortness of breath that you are experiencing is exactly the same as the tightness in the chest, it is all a load of tension, pressure, nerves, agitation, focussing, dwelling, mind stopping ANXIETY, and IT WILL PASS, IT WILL ALL PASS EVENTUALLY, just be strong and give it time.
You have joined a really good forum here, which I know that you will be well looked after and above all advised, so do keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.
I hope that I was of help to you.
Best wishes always, and do keep in touch.
Sunset
i) Your symptoms sound like anxiety. However, did your doctor give you an full physical to rule out other causes for your symptoms? Thyroid problems are just one example of a disorder that could also cause your symptoms.
ii) NEVER, EVER CHANGE MEDICATION DOSAGE WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM YOUR DOCTOR - NEVER! This can be DANGEROUS!
Xanax is a very poor choice for treating anxiety long term and should NOT be taken the way you have been taking it. It is intended to treat panic attacks when they occur and should be taken on an occasional basis NOT on a regular basis - unfortunately many doctors are not aware of this.
Many individuals develop a rapid tolerance to Xanax which also causes physical dependence - this is why after awhile it is necessary to up the dosage because it simply doesnt work any more! You are now taking 3mg per day which is almost at the upper allowable limit - taking more than 5 mg a day becomes dangerous and hospitalization is often required to get off the medication.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you let your doctor know you are taking 3mg of Xanax per day. Also NEVER, EVER stop taking Xanax or Zoloft without getting an appropriate tapering regime from your doctor. If you do, severe withdrawals could result.
Please see your doctor and explain what is going on. You could also ask about klonopin which is a better long term drug for treating anxiety (cf. Xanax). This will likely give you more relief until you get the appropriate help in June.
ii) NEVER, EVER CHANGE MEDICATION DOSAGE WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM YOUR DOCTOR - NEVER! This can be DANGEROUS!
Xanax is a very poor choice for treating anxiety long term and should NOT be taken the way you have been taking it. It is intended to treat panic attacks when they occur and should be taken on an occasional basis NOT on a regular basis - unfortunately many doctors are not aware of this.
Many individuals develop a rapid tolerance to Xanax which also causes physical dependence - this is why after awhile it is necessary to up the dosage because it simply doesnt work any more! You are now taking 3mg per day which is almost at the upper allowable limit - taking more than 5 mg a day becomes dangerous and hospitalization is often required to get off the medication.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you let your doctor know you are taking 3mg of Xanax per day. Also NEVER, EVER stop taking Xanax or Zoloft without getting an appropriate tapering regime from your doctor. If you do, severe withdrawals could result.
Please see your doctor and explain what is going on. You could also ask about klonopin which is a better long term drug for treating anxiety (cf. Xanax). This will likely give you more relief until you get the appropriate help in June.
No problem whatsoever with the advice to get in front of a doctor who PAYS ATTENTION, so do it.
Otherwise, your question about, "is it anxiety," while interesting, may not prove very fruitful, in and of itself. Suppose you KNEW FOR A FACT that it is? Then the next question is...
Whaddya DO about it? So, whether it is or it isn't, you'd love to able to catch your breath again, right? You bet. And that's your mission -not just to paste the right label on it, but to get beyond it. The label is only important to the extent that it tells us the proper treatment or therapy. Meanwhile the whole business of sifting through symptoms can be very frustrating -see if my journal "Could it be" is of any help. And then, get the help you need.
Stay with us!
Otherwise, your question about, "is it anxiety," while interesting, may not prove very fruitful, in and of itself. Suppose you KNEW FOR A FACT that it is? Then the next question is...
Whaddya DO about it? So, whether it is or it isn't, you'd love to able to catch your breath again, right? You bet. And that's your mission -not just to paste the right label on it, but to get beyond it. The label is only important to the extent that it tells us the proper treatment or therapy. Meanwhile the whole business of sifting through symptoms can be very frustrating -see if my journal "Could it be" is of any help. And then, get the help you need.
Stay with us!
maybe the Xanax (horrible drug) is the only thing that releived the anxiety. You may be reacting badly to the SSRIs Zoloft and lexipro, they may be making you feel more anxious. poping those xanax sure does make it hard to figure out. I know the way i felt after taking a couple of xanax in my younger days sure made me feel spacy and weird the next day. from what you have said I think the zoloft and lexipro are NOT helping. i am not a doctor. you could get into see a good MD or DO prior to June.
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