Anyone else suffer from chronic Anxiety?

[D-Lish]

Right. And it will be, because A/P disorder, without a purely psychological source, will be around for a long, long time.

 

I had A/P after a traumatic event that left me with PTSD. Still, I had to take meds for years, while doing therapy, but my A/P was directly correlated to an event, and not from a brain chemistry issue. Not that it's any better, but point is, it made it a bit easier for me to wean off of it. SO LONG as I don't trigger my PTSD again, that is. I will say sometimes I still do get triggers, and then the A/P will start up again, but won't stick around as long as it did years ago after the initial event happened.

 

Good. And yes. NO reason to not be on them, plus, you get the appetite suppressant bonus. lol

 

I went off because I hate to think about what all these uppers do to my body over time. I think cleaning out for a week or two is good for me physically, and then it turns out I can't get anything done, since I can't focus long enough to concentrate. lol

 

Well I know for me, taking the meds just makes my quality of life better.

I was really happy on the meds until my hairdresser pointed out a small bald patch:eek:- a side effect of wellbutrin. I went off the meds that second!

 

I am going to start back with just the clonozopam and see how that goes.

My general mood is good- I am not depressed currently, so I don't really need to be taking the wellbutrin.

 

What are the long term side effects of taking the R?

[bac]

Did you check your thyroid hormones? TSH?

If you have the thyroid problem, it can give you anxiety, abdominal pain and other stuff.

 

If your general health is fine, you should fight your emotional problems with cognitive or other type of psychotherapy. Listen to affirmations, practice mindfulness. No medications will help you unless you get rid your brain from irrational thinking. Medications only depress your brain activity including depressing your fears and anxiety.

 

It is cheaper and easier for a doctor to prescribe you medications than to attempt to change your thinking which produces fears. As result of taking meds, you get addicted to using them psychologically. You believe that they help you and that you can not function well without them. Because you believe that you need the meds, you are dependent on them. They have adverse effects which you can check out online. In other words, the longer you take meds, the more anxious you are going to be because of psychological dependence.

As for a doctor, the most important thing is that you will come to see your doctor for the rest of your life asking for these medications. I hope you understand, that it is exactly what many doctors want, to make some easy money.

[CLC2008]

Well I know for me, taking the meds just makes my quality of life better.

I was really happy on the meds until my hairdresser pointed out a small bald patch:eek:- a side effect of wellbutrin. I went off the meds that second!

 

I am going to start back with just the clonozopam and see how that goes.

My general mood is good- I am not depressed currently, so I don't really need to be taking the wellbutrin.

 

What are the long term side effects of taking the R?

 

OP, how did you decide to take clonazepam? I only ask, because hearing you describe your body's reaction to certain things, sounds a bit more like panic versus anxiety. I mean the two are very closely related but the "fight or flight response", the boost in adrenaline levels, all point to panic.

[D-Lish]

Did you check your thyroid hormones? TSH?

If you have the thyroid problem, it can give you anxiety, abdominal pain and other stuff.

 

If your general health is fine, you should fight your emotional problems with cognitive or other type of psychotherapy. Listen to affirmations, practice mindfulness. No medications will help you unless you get rid your brain from irrational thinking. Medications only depress your brain activity including depressing your fears and anxiety.

 

It is cheaper and easier for a doctor to prescribe you medications than to attempt to change your thinking which produces fears. As result of taking meds, you get addicted to using them psychologically. You believe that they help you and that you can not function well without them. Because you believe that you need the meds, you are dependent on them. They have adverse effects which you can check out online. In other words, the longer you take meds, the more anxious you are going to be because of psychological dependence.

As for a doctor, the most important thing is that you will come to see your doctor for the rest of your life asking for these medications. I hope you understand, that it is exactly what many doctors want, to make some easy money.

 

Being on meds does make a huge difference, to me anyway. It's my body that creates the issue- I can be sitting here thinking about nothing in particular, but my body is always on high alert. When I take the meds, I don't have the physical symptoms- and that is such a huge relief. I can't even tell you how much of a relief it is.

 

I don't have irrational thoughts- not anymore than a normal person (It's not OCD). Right now, I am worrying about having cervical cancer- but I have reason to worry as it's a possibility given the tests/symptoms.

 

Being in Canada, the docs aren't benefitting too much from my visits.

My dad is a doc, and he concurs with me taking meds given the level of my anxiety. I don't see my doc any more from having the prescription. If anything, I feel good enough to not have to have regular visits.

 

I can't control the physical stuff, I can minimize it with things like CBT and meditation, etc (and I do use those tools)- but it never leaves me completely.

 

I appreciate your feedback.

 

 

OP, how did you decide to take clonazepam? I only ask, because hearing you describe your body's reaction to certain things, sounds a bit more like panic versus anxiety. I mean the two are very closely related but the "fight or flight response", the boost in adrenaline levels, all point to panic.

 

I don't get panic attacks ever. I had one when I smoked pot as a teenager- but that's it. It's just a general, chronic feeling of the butterflies in the stomach, and generally speaking, my body "worries" even when my mind doesn't, if that makes sense. I trust the diagnosis, I fit it to a T:o, I really do. It's not that my body reacts to certain things as much as it simply seems to be in "react mode" all the time. People with panic disorders have panic attacks, but not necessarily the chronic anxiety.

 

I think at the moment, I am much worse than normal because I am worked up about this situation waiting for test results. So if generally I feel anxious like a "4 or 5" on a scale of 1-10, I feel like I am at 9 currently:o.

[redmelon]

I have GAD and I did the same thing with my meds, and discovered quickly that I really did need to be on them. In the interim, sadly, I found that the only thing that really cut those physical symptoms right away was hard liquor. It's the truth! No wonder so many people like us are alcoholics. They go hand in hand for a reason!

[Jilly Bean]

Well I know for me, taking the meds just makes my quality of life better.

I was really happy on the meds until my hairdresser pointed out a small bald patch:eek:- a side effect of wellbutrin. I went off the meds that second!

 

I am going to start back with just the clonozopam and see how that goes.

My general mood is good- I am not depressed currently, so I don't really need to be taking the wellbutrin.

 

What are the long term side effects of taking the R?

 

Yeah, just stick with it, D. It's worked before. And that patch could be from something else, that I won't mention here, but it might be related to the work she's done... I know you get me.

 

Apparently none, but I'd hate to the first one. lol

[D-Lish]

I have GAD and I did the same thing with my meds, and discovered quickly that I really did need to be on them. In the interim, sadly, I found that the only thing that really cut those physical symptoms right away was hard liquor. It's the truth! No wonder so many people like us are alcoholics. They go hand in hand for a reason!

 

Well I went that route as well for a while. After a couple of beers, I felt worry-free! After 10 beers, I could push the anxiety aside to sleep at night! That stopped working for me after a couple of years.

 

I finally got to the point where I didn't want to replace my anxiety problem with an addiction problem. I am glad I stopped using alcohol as medication.

[Little Bird]

I thin I have GAD as well. Usually, my anxiety manifests itself as irritability and restlessness along with the usual tight chest pains, and shortness of breath.

 

However, I also have acute panic attacks along with the generalized anxiety. Like one time in class, I felt like I was going to die and ran to the washroom, broke down into tears from the anxiety and was gasping for breath.

 

I can also give myself migraines in minutes from the panic attacks.

 

For awhile the general anxiety was causing me muscle pain, from being so tense all the time. I also used to have obsessive compulsive symptoms like checking things repeatedly, but I've grown out of it somehow. Now, it's just general anxiety with panic attacks when I'm really stressed out.

 

You seem like you have been managing the anxiety as well as you can, D Lish, I know when I started running 3 times a week, it really helped with releasing my physical tension.

[redmelon]

Yea, it's a scary path to tread with regularity, but it DOES help more than anything I can think of (and our paths with trying other things sound similar) in an off time when you don't have anything else. Good to know in a pinch, anyway - haha.

 

Definitely get back on the meds. Maybe they can replace the Wellbutrin with another drug. In the meantime, I wish you the best and believe me, I know how you are feeling and how much it sucks!

[D-Lish]

Yeah, just stick with it, D. It's worked before. And that patch could be from something else, that I won't mention here, but it might be related to the work she's done... I know you get me.

 

Apparently none, but I'd hate to the first one. lol

 

Lol, could be from "that":eek: lol.

I am going back on the meds regardless, and am not doing "that" particular thing anymore either:laugh:

[redmelon]

I also had an abnormal pap smear and subsequently had surgery to remove precancerous cells from my cervix. It was weird to think that if it were "the olden days" before this testing, that I would have died from it. Other than that, it was really not a big deal and I am totally fine now. It's VERY common, and you will be fine no matter what the test says.

[Jilly Bean]

Lol, could be from "that":eek: lol.

I am going back on the meds regardless, and am not doing "that" particular thing anymore either:laugh:

 

 

HA HA HA!!!

 

Secret is safe, along with the others, in the vault.

 

Why are you waiting until THU?

[jenifer1972]

Are you certain the patch of hair loss was Wellbutrin? A med side effect would be more likely to cause diffuse loss. Be careful about take klonipin by itself. It is a benzo and can cause dependency.

 

And to the one other poster, no it is not some big conspiracy. We doctors are not trying to withhold miracle cures from people and make a quick buck. Sheesh!

[D-Lish]

HA HA HA!!!

 

Secret is safe, along with the others, in the vault.

 

Why are you waiting until THU?

 

That's my dr's appt- when I will go in to fill my script'. I let it run out 7 months ago- and need an appt to go in and fill it.

 

So, you're going back on the ritalin?

[Jilly Bean]

That's my dr's appt- when I will go in to fill my script'. I let it run out 7 months ago- and need an appt to go in and fill it.

 

So, you're going back on the ritalin?

 

Dang. I have this great benefit with my health insurance in which I can see a doc for med management only for $15 a visit. Kinda nice.

 

Yes, totally back on it. Otherwise, my days blur into a sea of unfinished projects.

[Hot Carl]

Your hair dresser gives you happy endings, D? Just where is this bald patch?

[CLC2008]

Your hair dresser gives you happy endings, D? Just where is this bald patch?

 

.........oh wow

[D-Lish]

Are you certain the patch of hair loss was Wellbutrin? A med side effect would be more likely to cause diffuse loss. Be careful about take klonipin by itself. It is a benzo and can cause dependency.

 

And to the one other poster, no it is not some big conspiracy. We doctors are not trying to withhold miracle cures from people and make a quick buck. Sheesh!

 

No, not certain, but it is listed as a possible Wellbutrin side effect.

 

I took Clonozepam for a couple years- and I used it sporadically in conjunction with the wellbutrin. I didn't ever feel dependant on it. I didn't take it everyday- only when I felt I needed it.

 

I had a friend that was/is on it, and he used to harrass me for my extra pills (which I never gave him). I know some people get addicted to it, I was never one of them thankfully- I never abused it, never felt the need to.

[D-Lish]

Dang. I have this great benefit with my health insurance in which I can see a doc for med management only for $15 a visit. Kinda nice.

 

Yes, totally back on it. Otherwise, my days blur into a sea of unfinished projects.

 

Lol. Sounds like my general contractor!

 

I have lucked into a good company where my health benefits- medical and dental are 100% covered. I only have to pay a handling fee for meds. I have to wait another month before it kicks in, but I am happy with that.

Obviously, in Canada we don't pay for dr's visits (directly)- but I am stoked about having dental covered as dental isn't covered under health care in Canada.

 

Your hair dresser gives you happy endings, D? Just where is this bald patch?

 

Lol, it's not related to happy endings, more like "great lengths";)

 

.........oh wow

 

Don't get the wrong idea you...

[CLC2008]

Lol. Sounds like my general contractor!

 

I have lucked into a good company where my health benefits- medical and dental are 100% covered. I only have to pay a handling fee for meds. I have to wait another month before it kicks in, but I am happy with that.

Obviously, in Canada we don't pay for dr's visits (directly)- but I am stoked about having dental covered as dental isn't covered under health care in Canada.

 

 

 

Lol, it's not related to happy endings, more like "great lengths";)

 

 

 

 

 

Don't get the wrong idea you...

 

LOL. I am so confused by this thread now.

[D-Lish]

Yea, it's a scary path to tread with regularity, but it DOES help more than anything I can think of (and our paths with trying other things sound similar) in an off time when you don't have anything else. Good to know in a pinch, anyway - haha.

 

Definitely get back on the meds. Maybe they can replace the Wellbutrin with another drug. In the meantime, I wish you the best and believe me, I know how you are feeling and how much it sucks!

 

I am going to ask about that on Thursday.

I am sorry you experience the same- mostly because I relate to how difficult it is. Thank you so much for chiming in, means a lot to me.

[pureinheart]

im sorry bud.. fresh air is good.. sitting beside a lake or the ocean.. something about the oxygen coming off the water..

 

PG , I think you have something here

[pureinheart]

Are you certain the patch of hair loss was Wellbutrin? A med side effect would be more likely to cause diffuse loss. Be careful about take klonipin by itself. It is a benzo and can cause dependency.

 

And to the one other poster, no it is not some big conspiracy. We doctors are not trying to withhold miracle cures from people and make a quick buck. Sheesh!

 

No, not the doctors, the drug companies...multi $ indudstry...actually the doctors are quite innocent , and the majority just want the best for their patients.

[D-Lish]

[/b]

 

PG , I think you have something here

 

That you think anxiety can be "cured" by smelling the ocean?

[bac]

Being on meds does make a huge difference, to me anyway. It's my body that creates the issue- I can be sitting here thinking about nothing in particular, but my body is always on high alert. When I take the meds, I don't have the physical symptoms- and that is such a huge relief. I can't even tell you how much of a relief it is.

 

I don't have irrational thoughts- not anymore than a normal person (It's not OCD). Right now, I am worrying about having cervical cancer- but I have reason to worry as it's a possibility given the tests/symptoms.

 

Being in Canada, the docs aren't benefitting too much from my visits.

My dad is a doc, and he concurs with me taking meds given the level of my anxiety. I don't see my doc any more from having the prescription. If anything, I feel good enough to not have to have regular visits.

 

I can't control the physical stuff, I can minimize it with things like CBT and meditation, etc (and I do use those tools)- but it never leaves me completely.[quote

 

Your irrational thoughts are your irrational fears, anxiety and experiencing the symptoms of pain. As for pain, you might want to google 'somatization disorder'. Your irrational thoughts also reflect irrational level of intensity of your fears. They are all irrational but you are so accustomed to your thinking because your thinking is the only way that you know, so you can not recognize that. That is why you might need psychotherapy to set your thinking in touch with reality.

For example, your PAP tests are not good, you have a rational reason to worry. But, a healthy person would experience a totally different level of fear intensity in the situation. On a scale of 1-10 they would experience 1-2.

A person with GAD would experience irrational level of 8-9. A normal person would not think about the worst possible outcome of the situation all the day making herself anxious and depressed. That is irrational. Truthfully, they would not think about cancer most of the day because in reality there is no cancer diagnosed yet.

Edited May 10, 2010 by bac