Help with Anxiety

[Rusty Joe]

Hello, I am at my wits end here and need some help...

I have been struggling with what my MD tells me is Anxiety for 8 months now, it all started with 4 visits to the hospital with symptoms that range from increased heart rate, feeling quite unwell, tightness in my chest (etc). After those 4 visits I was assured it was not heart related, so I went to my MD who told me that Exercise was the best way to help. I joined a gym, went for 3 months, none of that seems to have helped and I was still suffering from the symptoms. He now wants me to go on a SSRI, which I do not feel comfortable taking. This is now affecting my wife/family, I have nights where I do not sleep at all and am a complete and utter bear when I am around them. Last night was just one of these nights, I was unable to sleep, feeling nervousness all over, noticed my heart beating louder, not necessarily faster. It was around 3:30 am before I finally did manage to fall asleep, and then up at 8am because for some reason I am unable to sleep in. It is not ever night I have issues, but the majority of them it is maybe midnight before I fall asleep. It is very very rare that I actually get a full 7-8 hours per night.

This has made me emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted, I do not know what to do anymore. I can barely function on the lack of sleep I am getting, and the days after my nightly episodes, I feel like I got run over by a truck and do not want to do anything. This does not really help because I have kids and a wife that it is affecting now. I cannot help out with my duties because of what I am going through. Anything negative that happens on these days after puts me into instant crying, just walking into my sons room this morning and I was a mess.

The difficult part is that I cannot for the life of me figure out what is even causing these attacks, as it is not daily, it is quite infrequent, and nothing seems to line up. I am starting to think that maybe it is not Anxiety after all, however I do not know anymore. I have tried everything that the MD has suggested with the exception of the medication.

I am at a loss for words here, just wanted to get my words out on a place where others understand what I am going through.

Thanks,

Rusty

 

[Joeyp3021]

I'm new to this whole anxiety thing also..mine is more health related anxiety. I had a anxiety/panic attack a few months ago and ended up in the hospital. They did all kinds of tests and bloodwork and all was good. I have good days and bad, the dr wanted me to start the meds but I didnt want to so I chose to start seeing a therapist which has actually helped. I have a wife and two young kids so I know how you feel with the responsibilities at home.

 

[redmanlcs]

Humm... I AM NOT A DOCTOR... so take this with a grain of salt. I am totally against taking any type of medication. I am one of those types that think that medicine, doctors, etc are only out to get me. Take my money. Get me addicted to some type of drugs, etc. I would rather hurt than take a Tylenol or Advil. Your symptoms sound like anxiety. I have never heard of anxiety being treated with exercise. Sounds to me like you need anxiety meds. Many people take anxiety meds for recreation. They generally relax you regardless if you have anxiety or not. Wouldn't hurt to try. Buspirone is what I'm currently taking and my anxiety has disappeared. It is non addictive unlike Xanax or Valium.

 

[redmanlcs]

My anxiety was affecting my quality of life, so I tried the meds and was amazed how much better my life is.

 

[Rusty Joe]

One thing I failed to mention was with eating, sometimes when I eat I feel better during the day, other times if I am late for a meal I can almost guarantee a bad night. Its like my blood sugar is affecting it.

 

[triceps]

Hi Rusty Joe. My suggestion would be to first try a prescription sleep aid. Your lack of sleep is such a major factor in your anxiety struggle that I think you'd have a chance of feeling much better and productive if the sleep aid works. If the sleep aid is not successful you might have to try an SSRI to get relief. They aren't very addictive but they take some weeks to kick in. The sleep aid could get you good results immediately if it works out for you.

 

[Cuchculan]

My whole way of looking at things is if something is available that is going to change your quality of life for the better, take it. We do have options. We can go down alternative medicine roads. Alternative therapy roads. Which still all costs money. Which do we know that has a better chance of working based on use of other people? I agree with Triceps about getting something to help you sleep to begin with. Because sleep is important. As for exercise? It can help at times. Might not be for everybody. Depends what you class as exercise though. A good walk I find to be great. That is exercise enough for me. Cutting the grass even. Nobody is saying to lift weights and go on a rowing machine. That would wear me out. Anxiety is something you have to find your way around. What works best for you. What causes you more stress. Could be a good start to keep a journal. Makes notes on what works and what doesn't work. Sort of build up a profile of what works best for you. Can be a case of trial and error at times.