Need encouragement!

[Needtorelax45]

Who takes meds for their anxiety? Or does natural things? My anxiety has gotten out of control in the last month and I feel like I’m never going to get better. I’ve been to the ER and had a CT scan which was clear and have had tons of blood work that came back great. The only thing they said was that I’m in menopause at age 45. I take Xanax XR and have had to increase to 1 MG bc .5 isn’t enough. I take Trintellix as well. I just don’t know if all this medicine is good for me and I’m just completely discouraged. I have terrible headaches, dizziness, throat tightness and get the shakes. I feel like I’m in a dark whole that I can’t get out of. Any advice would be appreciated!!!

 

[FlipperK]

It’s going to be a combination of things. One particular thing (like yoga or meditation) provides relief but only in the moment and a little afterwards. Same with exercise and diet, therapy, etc. all do work but usually in the moment. You will need to find the right combination of things that help you out through out the day.

For me it’s medication, therapy, little bit of exercises (walking with the kids when I get home from work), and staying off google.

I keep myself busy with work and kids the rest of the time. During down times I try to keep myself occupied. Either with watching a movie, posting help here on the forum, or playing a game. Otherwise I’m chasing a two year old and an autistic 5 year old around, while cleaning the house and trying to find time to chase my wife when I can

I also find sex a much needed activity from time to time.


To recap, I believe it’s a combination of different things that will make everything easier. I would start with medication and therapy to start and then trickle in other things as you progress. It will take a couple of months to settle down but you will get there. You have to want it and commit to it.

 

[Needtorelax45]

I do some exercise like getting outside and walking and medication has always helped me but right now it seems to be making me worse. I just wish there was a quick fix!
I do get outside and walk to get some exercise and medication has always helped me but seems to be making me feel worse since switching and trying something new. I just wish there was a quick fix!!

 

[matisworried]

i have taken SSRIs in the past but have found that the side effects are too unpleasant for me at the dosages i'd need to be on to notice any difference. i've contemplated giving them a shot again from time to time but for now, i've been able to manage by staying busy - exercising daily is HUGE for me. i recently had surgery so i had to take a week off and i blame that for the struggles i've had since. i have Klonopin 1 mg as a PRN but i never take it because even at that dosage, i don't think it does anything.

i think with HA, therapy and CBT are way more effective than meds. you really do need to sorta reset your way of thinking and a pill can't do that.

 

[Needtorelax45]

Thank you for your reply. I’ve been contemplating weaning off my meds just bc the side effects suck. Brain fog and headaches are the worst. Just trying to figure out what works best for others with the same struggles.

 

[matisworried]

how long have you been on them? have you discussed the side effects with your doctor?

in some cases, side effects will lessen/go away after your body adjusts to the meds. in other cases, they stay and are very intrusive, in which case your doctor may want to try you on a different med.

if you've been on it for any length of time, you may need to taper off of them, though, as you can have some pretty ugly withdrawal-type symptoms.

 

[Needtorelax45]

I’ve changed to all new meds within the last few months. Side affects have gotten worse since the doc upped my mgs. Going back to the doc on Tuesday so hoping that we can figure some things out.

 

[matisworried]

I’ve changed to all new meds within the last few months. Side affects have gotten worse since the doc upped my mgs. Going back to the doc on Tuesday so hoping that we can figure some things out.

my wife recently ramped up one of her meds and within a few days she started developing some pretty unpleasant side effects as well, to the point where she wasn't willing to "push through" it. she's now on something else and our fingers are crossed that it's not more of the same. it's very frustrating but try to stay positive. good luck to you!

 

[Needtorelax45]

Thank you!