Intro

[Runner40]

Hello - I am new here. I have had health anxiety which creates physical health problems (twitching, acid reflux, GI issues) for most of my life. I recall my health anxiety started at 22. I am now 40. I wish it never started and my only wish now, is to get to live like in my old carefree life before it all started. I have been controlling these thoughts thanks to therapy (couple sessions) and intense running throughout these last 8 years or so. But now I am tired. Tired of running like crazy and always ending getting back at the same thoughts. My doctor has now prescribed me an anti depressant. Not sure what to do, to take it or not. I am so fearful the medication will affect my cognitive abilities. Afraid of possible physical side effects too! Am not depressed on the contrary I want to live so bad. This year was so difficult for me as I had lost my voice due to a virus and it affected my job for a month. (I talk for a living) Since that episode I fear losing my voice again. That fear overpowers my thinking and in very stressful moments on the job I fear that my brain thinking and my capability of expressing my thoughts and arguments do not match up. My job depends on my voice and cognitive thinking. It’s very scary being so afraid of not being able to express oneself anymore. It’s like the brain thinking is not attuned to the larynx. Have been taking pantropazole for the last 6 weeks now and doctor thinks it’s a possibility that the silent acid reflux had affected my sinuses and voice box and larynx. I have noticed a difference in my quality of voice since I am on them.It kind of makes sense but am still worried it’s another underlying issue (MS). You see the thought process here ? It’s like a catch 22 situation. I am never in peace. And if something is ruled out by the doctor or fixed by a medication (which takes forever for me to decide to take) i tend to focus on some other newer health issue. My husband says it’s because I have too much time to think. I am a busy mom working and raising kids. But he is right as at down times like now or when I am in the car or at work or in stressful situations, these thoughts pop up again. I am so happy to go to sleep so my brain shuts down. My doctor says it’s a good thing i can sleep. I know it is, but when I am awake, it all starts over again. I feel like giving up fighting this thing and just taking those antidepressants. I have read your posts and I understand i am not alone in this. Perhaps before taking those pills I can find some alternative way of dealing with this thing. Would love your thoughts on this. I understood from my doctor that she has had reports of women finally feeling inner peace on those pills. It’s kind of tempting. Any thoughts ?

 

[triceps]

Hi and welcome Runner. I'm so sorry that you are presently suffering so much. Obviously health anxiety is caused by anxiety and a number of the antidepressants help with anxiety. If your prescribed medication is an SSRI, they usualy have no effect on your cognitive abilities. I certainly agree with your doctor that it is great that you don't have any sleep issues. Most of us with the many types of anxiety disorders also have moderate to severe sleeping problems which just increases the intensity of the anxiety. Antidepressants can take weeks to kick in so take that into account with your decision. Again, welcome and we hope you can get some relief soon. Both my wife and I are on SSRI antidepressants and neither of us have had any noticeable side effects.

 

[Runner40]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it. Wondering, did you find the « inner peace » with the medication? I understand that it depends on the dosage. But once the correct dosage is found, does it make the thoughts go away or do they come back but at more distant timeframes? Does it also help with the physical symptoms of Anxiety ? Thanks again for your time. Please note that I will take the time to read the other posts this weekend on the medication issue as I am sure these discussions and questions have been already asked and answered before. Thank you.

 

[triceps]

Hi Runner. I'm on Lexapro (although the generic version) and it helps me mostly in two ways. It helps my mild depression by allowing me to look at things as "the glass being half full vs. half empty". It also seems to lower my anxiety a bit where it's easier to pay less attention to the negative thoughts. I take Klonopin specifically for anxiety and when it's working right it does a good job at reducing the physical anxiety symptoms.