Health Anxiety

[PeggyJoan]

Hello all,
Since as a little girl, I have suffered from anxiety. That's a looong time - I am now 70. Anxiety sucks the joy out of life, but I believe it is controllable.
It will be good to connect with members here with similar circumstances. I have loads of questions and hopefully I can help someone by answering theirs.
I just got off Effexor and it has not been good. I am truly debating going back on after going through a not-very-fun withdrawal.
Blessings,
Peggy

 

[Kimberly Hunt]

Hi Peggy! Glad to see you are reaching out. How long had you been on Effexor?

 

[PeggyJoan]

Hello to you, Kimberly! I was on Lexapro around ten years ago and discontinued that after five years. It was difficult and ultimately I knew I needed help and my NP convinced me to take Effexor which I have been on five years also. I don't think I took a high enough dose (37.5). That was my fault - I am sooo cautious. I weaned off E and I have been 'clean' for five weeks. I am sleeping around two to three hours a night (it sucks). I go back to my NP tomorrow and I am not sure what I am going to do. I do not feel calm in any sense. Thanks for asking? Have you taken Effexor?

 

[Kimberly Hunt]

The only drug I have ever taken has been Paxil and it worked back then and it is working now. My anxiety has dramatically decreased and it is much better. Are you afraid of taking medications? Or do you just not want to be on them? What do you do to help calm your anxiety? I do a lot of breathing and positive self talk. Do you have a therapist or someone you can confide in and tell your problems?

 

[PeggyJoan]

Kimberly, I am so happy you are doing well. I am relieved with your questions! I am not afraid of meds, but for whatever reason after taking so many years I decided it's time to stop. It does not make sense. You know, that 'if it ain't broke' thing? I have an appt. tomorrow with my NP and I really think I am going back on Effexor. I know she will approve. I am an even-tempered person who could never understand why someone would want to leave this world. These past few weeks I have gone from deep anger, to weeping at *anything* to this awful sleep-stealing anxiety. I have Xanax but it really does not help me sleep. During the night I will get up, say some prayers, and listen to a guided meditation. However, it takes a few hours to calm down. I really try not to be upset about not sleeping, cause that NEVER helps. What does help is knowing there is an end to this! (I was on Paxil years ago and it really helped me!)
I like that you do breathing and affirmations. I just copied some affirmations down and even made some prayer beads to help me stay on track. And I do have a close friend who was a therapist. He thinks I need to do something different soon. I am truly not myself!
Again, thanks Kimberly for your questions (am I afraid, etc.) - I don't know *that* answer, but I think I know what I'm going to do tomorrow. I will let you know!

 

[Kimberly Hunt]

Kimberly, I am so happy you are doing well. I am relieved with your questions! I am not afraid of meds, but for whatever reason after taking so many years I decided it's time to stop. It does not make sense. You know, that 'if it ain't broke' thing? I have an appt. tomorrow with my NP and I really think I am going back on Effexor. I know she will approve. I am an even-tempered person who could never understand why someone would want to leave this world. These past few weeks I have gone from deep anger, to weeping at *anything* to this awful sleep-stealing anxiety. I have Xanax but it really does not help me sleep. During the night I will get up, say some prayers, and listen to a guided meditation. However, it takes a few hours to calm down. I really try not to be upset about not sleeping, cause that NEVER helps. What does help is knowing there is an end to this! (I was on Paxil years ago and it really helped me!)
I like that you do breathing and affirmations. I just copied some affirmations down and even made some prayer beads to help me stay on track. And I do have a close friend who was a therapist. He thinks I need to do something different soon. I am truly not myself!
Again, thanks Kimberly for your questions (am I afraid, etc.) - I don't know *that* answer, but I think I know what I'm going to do tomorrow. I will let you know!

Yes, please keep me posted!

 

[JCP]

Welcome Peggy

 

[AddimsgmaT]

Hi all, I am new here and so glad I found this forum I guess I have health anxiety I just started taking paxil and I don’t know if it’s going to work. I’ve always had some anxiety but not like this it’s paralyzing. I have a constant fear of being terminally ill or dropping dead and I’m not sure where it came from I’ve never suffered like this is it age related?

 

[Rinka]

Hi all, I am new here and so glad I found this forum I guess I have health anxiety I just started taking paxil and I don’t know if it’s going to work. I’ve always had some anxiety but not like this it’s paralyzing. I have a constant fear of being terminally ill or dropping dead and I’m not sure where it came from I’ve never suffered like this is it age related?

Welcome to the forum! I hope we can support you here. You should take a look in the hypochondria section of the site, there is some very useful information there. You can also start a new thread if you like.

 

[Kimberly Hunt]

Hi all, I am new here and so glad I found this forum I guess I have health anxiety I just started taking paxil and I don’t know if it’s going to work. I’ve always had some anxiety but not like this it’s paralyzing. I have a constant fear of being terminally ill or dropping dead and I’m not sure where it came from I’ve never suffered like this is it age related?

Hi Addimsgma, I take Paxil and it has worked for me. You may find that it takes a little while, it took about 2 weeks before I started feeling a lot better. But honestly, I do not have that awful constant anxiety and I haven't had one panic attack. I still go to therapy because the anxiety left me feeling not myself and I viewed my life differently. So I still have to work on my thinking, but I focus on positive self-talk and it does help. You will be okay.

 

[PeggyJoan]

Welcome AddimsgmaT! What Kimberly said.....give the Paxil a chance - it will shut down that awful fear. I have learned it's okay to have help!
I recently weaned myself off Effexor, and I went down the rabbit hole. Fast forward: I am back on it and already feel better.
I am not a psychologist, but in my case I never felt safe as a child, and here I am at 70 still afraid. I thought I would be over it by now! SO, let's help and support each other. Not being alone makes an enormous difference, and again, keep doing the self-talk. Your meds will kick in and you will find yourself at peace. Best wishes, Peggy

 

[AddimsgmaT]

Welcome AddimsgmaT! What Kimberly said.....give the Paxil a chance - it will shut down that awful fear. I have learned it's okay to have help!
I recently weaned myself off Effexor, and I went down the rabbit hole. Fast forward: I am back on it and already feel better.
I am not a psychologist, but in my case I never felt safe as a child, and here I am at 70 still afraid. I thought I would be over it by now! SO, let's help and support each other. Not being alone makes an enormous difference, and again, keep doing the self-talk. Your meds will kick in and you will find yourself at peace. Best wishes, Peggy

Thanks everyone! I’m wondering if being alone isn’t a big part of this...I’ve been single for 8 years (not even a date) and my son and his daughter moved out a few months back...I have constant, overwhelming thoughts of suddenly leaving them..wondering how my granddaughter would cope without me...crying just typing this...I believe this is my 2nd week on Paxil but wondering if it’s not strong enough because of that monster panic attack on Friday...I was wonderful yesterday as my mom and granddaughter and I spent Friday and Saturday together. Now I don’t have anything to look forward to until I get my girl in 2 weeks so again the sadness and fear is starting to slowly creep in. My mom doesn’t understand it, and my son, well, he’s busy with his family. I am a Christian and I pray a great deal which does help....it’s just a difficult, lonely battle I guess. At least I never have thoughts of self harm...just gripping fear of illness...Also, no insurance to go to doc til end of August til new job coverage kicks in. I quit smoking a year and a half ago...this all seems to have gotten worse since then....could that be the culprit?


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[PeggyJoan]

AddimsgmaT,
So you have quit smoking, suddenly have an empty nest, and are waiting for health coverage. Is that all? :/ Yes, I certainly think these could be the root cause of your anxiety!
As far as your family not understanding, I get that. If anxiety is foreign to one, they really can't get it. That's why coming here is therapeutic! We. Get. It.
Yes, I too pray a lot. Sometimes we just have to wait for answer to prayer. I don't know why anxiety sometimes kicks in with a huge bang, but it does. I think accepting that this is what you're going through and not fighting it is a good start. It is what it is. Just know that *you are not your anxiety* and this this too shall pass. And when your health care kicks in, you might consider meds. They help me *a lot*.
Blessings, Peggy (Not being political, but we desperately need universal health care - we are the only industrialized country lacking it)

 

[AddimsgmaT]

Peggy thanks for your support, it really means so much!! It makes me feel so much less alone! And I wholeheartedly agree bout that universal health care! So many fall thru the cracks just as I have switching jobs!


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[PeggyJoan]

Peggy thanks for your support, it really means so much!! It makes me feel so much less alone! And I wholeheartedly agree bout that universal health care! So many fall thru the cracks just as I have switching jobs!


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You are so welcome! It's important that you know you are not alone. Sometimes those we never share a roof or blood with get us - to be fair, probably because we have no history. I am on Medicare, which is a form of universal health care (I know you are too young), and it's great.

 

[AddimsgmaT]

I am too young, by 7 years....does anxiety worsen with age? I don’t recall it being so frequent and intense when I was younger. My son also suffers with it, but he never really knows how to console me with anything, besides he lost his dad, my ex, last summer...I don’t wanna burden him with worry


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[PeggyJoan]

I actually think my anxiety has worsened with age, but I think it depends on circumstances that can go with aging. My husband has had cancer, our daughter moved away, etc. And personally, my anxiety has worsened since the election. I worry about health care, etc. etc. etc.
Yes, your son probably would not be helpful, and frankly, I think women get it better.
My doctor loves Medicare and thinks the entire nation would benefit from a similar system for all. The good news is that you are still young, the bad that you have to wait.
I will remind you that you have been through a lot, and that certainly doesn't help. May I ask if you have ever tried medication? It has been a Godsend for me.

 

[AddimsgmaT]

Yes, I’m on a very low dose of Paxil...this I believe is my second week, don’t really think it’s doing much yet...can’t go to the dr til end of August


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[PeggyJoan]

AddimsgmaT, I was on Paxil and it did help. I am back on Effexor after getting off, and I am on a low does as well. My NP wants me to double my dose and I think that's what I will do.
I am sorry you have to wait, but if you are only on your second week you may start to feel a difference soon. It does take a while. Please stay in touch! Thinking of you. Peggy

 

[AddimsgmaT]

Hi Peggy, so the Paxil isn’t working...it’s causing dreams that keep me awake then I’m a zombie all day which causes more anxiety and depression..doc is prescribing Zoloft...any thought?


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