Author Topic: Anxiety is getting to me ....  (Read 10745 times)

Soozan

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Anxiety is getting to me ....
« on: February 22, 2015, 09:39:38 pm »
I am still waiting for a psychiatrist, and my anxiety is getting worse, its getting so I don't or can't go out. The thought of getting in the car now that its winter, all these scenarios of cars sliding into us or us sliding into cars, gets the better of me, and even when the roads are dry, I find the anticipation of having to drive has me nervous. I just want to stay home and have Rich stay home where its safe, but that isn't possible.

When I do get a psychiatrist is there other medications other than pams for anxiety? and does it really help? It would be nice to get something that I can take and drive, as with pams I can't drive when taking one. I have never had anxiety before the last year or so, so this is all new to me, its due to the topomax I am taking but the topomax is controlling my weight, so its hard to let go of that.

UGH!!!! I just don't know what to do.. thanks for listening!

- Soozan
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paulm

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2015, 11:11:44 pm »
Hello Soozan. The cure for anxieties with the highest success rate is  a really good CBT course. One that's designed specifically for anxieties and taught by a specialist and in a small class setting.  The success rates are 65-85% without meds.  Problem is they tend to be expensive and hard to find.

 It's easy to find  a CBT course, really hard to find good one. Unfortunately I have  no idea which ones are good in T.O. Other than that, I don't know which meds work for anxieties, I treat mine with very small doses of lorazepam and some CBT techniques . I realize that the pam meds aren't for everyone. When I use lorazepam and or CBT technigues , I find they work best if used before I get worked up.

 Some people do well with yoga. For me Yoga gives me anxieties. For that matter, so does the standard advice of going for a walk or doing some light exercise. When I go for a walk and nothing occupies my mind, anxieties can really creep in.  Sorry that I don't have more, perhaps someone else can add more. Take Care. paul m

Pleeb

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2015, 12:51:31 am »
Soozan, maybe look at crazymeds.us?  I've taken maybe antipsychotics (?) for anxiety, but at a smaller than usual dose.  This is an "off label use."  I forget the name of mine, and if they worked.
I may look at crazymeds to see if I can remember.


Peter

LuckyLou

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2015, 06:19:48 am »
Hi soozan I can so relate to u my anxiety gets so much worse in winter too especially around being in a car being in four accidents will do that. My pdoc  has me on gabapentin and that has helped immensely. He has also recommended cbt. As Paul has. It's expensive but I am considering it. My doc keeps telling me to challenge my thoughts and replace them with positive ones. Easier said than done! The good news is that spring is only a few weeks awAy. I hope u find the help u need.
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Peace

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2015, 11:02:34 am »
In a horrible place too Soozan, so the best I can do at this time is: extra big hugs.

Really hope you feel better soon!

Soozan

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2015, 08:14:22 pm »
Thanks Everyone, Your responses are really helpful! It's just even comforting to know that so many of you understand what its like! thanks!

- Soozan
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Dragonfly

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2015, 11:58:13 pm »
Soozan I am very frightened to drive right now in the winter also. Even in the best weather conditions I don't like driving. My worst fear is that I will cause an accident and kill someone especially a kid.

Soozan I am sorry. I don't know what pams are? I do take clonazepam. Now when I write clonazepam I guess it must be one of those. Sometimes when I take clonazepam I am more talkitive, sometimes more aggressive, over confident. I don't know if I can explain it. I don't like those feelings. I don't like taking that drug. Sometimes however it really helps to be around people. Sounds contradictionary doesn't it.

I am not being much help to you Soozan.

Dragonfly

paulm

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2015, 01:04:14 am »
Hello Dragonfly (and I hope that Soozan will forgive me for butting in ) . Pam drugs are drugs like clonazepam. They are all from a class of drugs known as Benezodiazepines. As most of us cannot spell that, much less pronounce it correctly, they are often called Benzo's or pam drugs. The pam part comes from the fact that they mostly end in pam. Clonazepam, lorazepam and Diazepam being common examples.

 For some people they can cause exactly what you describe. In wikipedia it is described as follows.

 "Benzodiazepines are generally viewed as safe and effective for short-term use, although cognitive impairment and paradoxical effects such as aggression or behavioral disinhibition occasionally occur. A minority of people can have paradoxical reactions such as worsened agitation or panic"

 I know some people who cannot take any pam drug as it does make them aggressive, or more probably it makes both their conscious and sub conscious mind more relaxed and thus not as able to control the emotions that they would normally suppress.

 I have prescriptions for both lorazepam and clonazepam and I rarely take the clonazepam.  I find the lorazepam works better in my system for controlling my anxieties and it is shorter acting so it is out of my system quicker. But that is a personal choice and not a recommendation as everyone is different. Take Care. paul m

Soozan

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Re: Anxiety is getting to me ....
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2015, 08:56:07 am »
Hi Paul, you are not butting in but are as usual always helpful and Dragonfly, Your empathy is always a help!

I was facebooking and found a link to this helpful video http://howtodealwithanxietydisorder.com/ it helped me, I hope it helps others!

- Soozan
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