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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 13:15:56
In reply to ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 9:28:38
you CAN overcome an attack once it starts. It takes practice, little steps at first. I felt like u 6 months ago. I couldn't get anything for mine, not even valium!I couldn't go out either. I have been seeing a therapist and although its still bad it is improving slowly. I found that if I kept thinking negatively and that I couldn't cope while it was happening it made it worse. The negative thoughts you think make it last longer and go on and on.I started by just walking to the end of the street. By finding that it was ok I didn't die/faint/ whatever the worst case scenario i pictured didn't happen, I felt more conifident next time. Now I can go out a lot more. If left alone an anxiety attack due to the workings of the human body and the processes that happen, will eventually end naturally. It's letting it thats tricky. Trying little things like my therapist taught me like breathing exercises which i had to do every day not just during an attack, educating myself about anxiety symptoms and what causes them , telling myself that they symptoms didn;t mean I was going to die etc all helped. I mean I still have them and it IS very HARD to do but little steps at a time. Therapy works better long term I think than meds. Just my opinion although I know a lot of people on this board are pro benzodiazepines which I think may be useful short term but not terribly long term. I'd rather not take benzos for the rest of my life beacuse when stopping them the anxiety comes back as part of withdrawal I think let alone after that. Ok I bet I get attacked for saying all this. Ah well
Posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 13:17:38
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 13:15:56
have you tried antidepresants? I was on seroxat (paxil in the US) for a while which made it worse at first but then it got better and i could handle it better.
Posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 13:43:12
In reply to ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 9:28:38
how much valium are u taking? 2mg is a small dose anyway I think
Posted by IsoM on January 23, 2002, at 14:43:53
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 13:15:56
No, I don't think anyone will attack your views, or they shouldn't. Meds can help many but not all & the combination of therapy & meds probably gives the best results for the majority, but your way is also very good.
Your attitude towards anxiety is excellent. Realising that what you're feeling is just 'symptoms' of the attack & not you dying is important. And the little steps is important too.
I have nothing but good to say about your way of dealing with it. Very sensible, very wise attitude - especially in light of how one's mind works while in the midst of an anxiety attack.
Posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 15:39:13
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 13:43:12
> how much valium are u taking? 2mg is a small dose anyway I think
i havent tried any antidepresants, b/c in yr 2000 i was being treated for depression and effexor made me like this, i stopped straight away and never took another medication again, thought i could handle it... i had my first anxiety attack without no worry boxing night just gone, day after i was given valuim 2mg to take when i feel one coming on, the other night (sunday) i had another anxiety attack yet not worrying about any thing i took a valuim but it didnt work for me either... made me worse...
Posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 15:43:26
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 15:39:13
my attacks last hrs and even days... they r terrifying, i cant do this... my head feels all funny, a headche with no pain.. my eyes feel presured... i now know i need something, i suppose i am to scared to take any medication now b/c a) its side affects and b) how long will it take? and c) what if it makes me worse first i just couldnt handle it.. o i am so messed up i need something though any suggestions?
Posted by Elizabeth on January 23, 2002, at 15:49:20
In reply to ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 9:28:38
Here's one tip: just because you *feel* like you're dying doesn't mean that you are! That's important to keep in mind (especially when it's happening!). As you've realized, what you are experiencing resembles panic disorder, which, while not fatal, does need to be treated. In your case it doesn't resemble classic panic disorder, but it seems like pretty severe anxiety. Have you seen a psychiatrist about it? If the pdoc wants you to take SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox), be sure that you are started on a very low dose and increase it gradually. You should be allowed to take a benzodiazepine such as Klonopin or Xanax on an as-needed basis while waiting for the antidepressant to start working. It might be that your problems with Effexor resulted from starting at too high a dose.
You also seem to be suffering from avoidance behavior (agoraphobia). This may go away when the attacks go away (with medical treatment), but some people need psychotherapy to get rid of agoraphobia. Still, you need to stop the attacks before trying to deal with the avoidance.
One poster here claimed that benzodiazepines don't work long-term. This isn't correct. People can take benzodiazepines for indefinite periods of time for anxiety disorders without losing effect or needing to raise the dose. Valium and other "low-potency" benzodiazepines are generally not so effective, especially in low doses like the 2 mg you took. The benzodiazepines best proven to work for panic disorder (and I think you should treat this like panic disorder) are Klonopin, Ativan, and Xanax. They don't cause initial increased anxiety as antidepressants can (although I stress that this can be avoided by starting at a very low dose), and they work rapidly (within an hour, often much faster) to relieve anxiety.
I hope this helps. I have high hopes that you can get better.
best wishes,
-elizabeth
Posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 15:57:05
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks » crazychickuk, posted by Elizabeth on January 23, 2002, at 15:49:20
hello thanx for that.. valuim 2mg that i took made me so tired i was fighting to stay awake, i was worrying ''what if i didnt awake'' now i am to scared to take them again.. i am receiving therapy... not working though..
Posted by Rick on January 23, 2002, at 18:03:33
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 15:57:05
Any of the medications Elizabeth mentioned would likely prove far more helpful than Valium for the kind of anxiety you describe.
But be aware that some of these drugs have different brand names in the UK. I *think* Xanax goes by the same name in the UK as in the US, but I'm not sure. I *think* Klonopin is called Rivotril in the UK, but again I'm not sure. You can always go by the generic names, which are the same everywhere:
Generic for Xanax: alprazolam
Generic for Klonopin/Rivotril: clonazepam
Generic for Ativan: lorazepam> hello thanx for that.. valuim 2mg that i took made me so tired i was fighting to stay awake, i was worrying ''what if i didnt awake'' now i am to scared to take them again.. i am receiving therapy... not working though..
Posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 18:26:17
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks » crazychickuk, posted by Rick on January 23, 2002, at 18:03:33
> Any of the medications Elizabeth mentioned would likely prove far more helpful than Valium for the kind of anxiety you describe.
>
> But be aware that some of these drugs have different brand names in the UK. I *think* Xanax goes by the same name in the UK as in the US, but I'm not sure. I *think* Klonopin is called Rivotril in the UK, but again I'm not sure. You can always go by the generic names, which are the same everywhere:
>
> Generic for Xanax: alprazolam
> Generic for Klonopin/Rivotril: clonazepam
> Generic for Ativan: lorazepam
>
> > hello thanx for that.. valuim 2mg that i took made me so tired i was fighting to stay awake, i was worrying ''what if i didnt awake'' now i am to scared to take them again.. i am receiving therapy... not working though..All drugs are the same names.... in the uk and the us...
Posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 19:30:35
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 18:26:17
> All drugs are the same names.... in the uk and the us...WRONG!!!!(brandnames are different) clonazepam is indeed rivotril altho its only listed indication over here is eplilepsy so I don't think they use it in anxiety much at all. However ALL perscriptions in the UK are by the generic name not the brandname (or whatever u call is) like in the US. Most drugs differ eg mirtazapine is zispin here in the UK and remeron in the US and many more examples, not just psych drugs. Incidentally xanax isn't licensed over here for NHS use I don't think although I think it is in private practice.Ativan isn't either. I think the generic lorazepam is by i know alprazolam isn't. Most docs I know won't perscribe clonazepam for anxiety either, usually limit any benzo to 2 weeks (max 4)supply (to help get offer possible initial increase in anxiety with SSRIs usually) and you will be hard pressed to convince them otherwise- they'd rather prescribe u an antipsychotic than a benzo! Usual anxiety drugs that I've noticed get prescribed are oxazepam and diazepam and rarely others. They don't like lorazepam much.
Posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 20:09:41
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 19:30:35
the doctor actually gave me valuim (diazipam) to calm me down... they do xanax over here, i am going to ask for that tommorrow, b/c valuim aint working for me any more.....
Posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 20:11:26
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 20:09:41
where in uk are you from? what are your symptoms when you get an attack? how long do they last for? what are you taking?
Posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 20:17:05
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 20:09:41
> the doctor actually gave me valuim (diazipam) to calm me down... they do xanax over here, i am going to ask for that tommorrow, b/c valuim aint working for me any more.....
they dont do xanax on the NHS as far as I know, at least not according to 3 sources I checked (one mental healtht trust info online, a pharamacy site and the BNF which lists all prescription drugs available in the UK
Posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 20:21:21
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 20:17:05
> > the doctor actually gave me valuim (diazipam) to calm me down... they do xanax over here, i am going to ask for that tommorrow, b/c valuim aint working for me any more.....
>
> they dont do xanax on the NHS as far as I know, at least not according to 3 sources I checked (one mental healtht trust info online, a pharamacy site and the BNF which lists all prescription drugs available in the UKthey do do xanax on the nhs... they do everything apart from hurrying. lol email me if you like saves back and forth [email protected]
Posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 20:25:24
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 20:11:26
> where in uk are you from? what are your symptoms when you get an attack? how long do they last for? what are you taking?
I live in the NW UK. My attacks can last anything from as little as 10 mins to 5 days combined with flashbacks. right now I am on nothing, not even an antidepressant because my psychiatrist decided a yr ago I had a personality disorder and no drugs would help so Im not on any. Although I disagree strongly with this diagnosis as do other people. It's kind of complicated. For fuller story see my advice? post further up a littlesymptoms- they vary too but include the following
headache, pounding temples, sickness and nausea, increased heart rate, light headedness, feeling faint, jumpy, agitated, terrified, palpitations, chest pain, increased asthma attacks, pins and needles, shakiness, "pressure" in my head (can't think of any way else to describe it but probably goes with the headache I think), shortness of breath. thoughts of feeling unsafe, i hyperventilate, feel the need to escape. If this is combined with flashbacks its worse
Posted by crazychickuk on January 24, 2002, at 9:10:03
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 23, 2002, at 20:25:24
> > where in uk are you from? what are your symptoms when you get an attack? how long do they last for? what are you taking?
> I live in the NW UK. My attacks can last anything from as little as 10 mins to 5 days combined with flashbacks. right now I am on nothing, not even an antidepressant because my psychiatrist decided a yr ago I had a personality disorder and no drugs would help so Im not on any. Although I disagree strongly with this diagnosis as do other people. It's kind of complicated. For fuller story see my advice? post further up a little
>
> symptoms- they vary too but include the following
> headache, pounding temples, sickness and nausea, increased heart rate, light headedness, feeling faint, jumpy, agitated, terrified, palpitations, chest pain, increased asthma attacks, pins and needles, shakiness, "pressure" in my head (can't think of any way else to describe it but probably goes with the headache I think), shortness of breath. thoughts of feeling unsafe, i hyperventilate, feel the need to escape. If this is combined with flashbacks its worsewow the same as me then..... i get the preasure in the head, thats what starts of an attack for me... are you eyes all blood shot?
Posted by pathetic_n_useless on January 24, 2002, at 11:17:36
In reply to Re: anxiety attacks, posted by crazychickuk on January 24, 2002, at 9:10:03
eyes not usually bloodshot i don't think, not that I've ever looked!!
Posted by Panic AttacK on January 24, 2002, at 12:03:34
In reply to ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 23, 2002, at 9:28:38
Hey Girl... I didnt have time to read all the other posts and wanted to reply to everything you just said. You sound just like me. After reading it I thought I wrote that!!!! Except I dont have any kids! I have been dealing with this same shit for over 9 months. The reason for mine was a cocaine overdose on St.Patricks Day. I ended up in the hospital thinking i was dying... evre since I have been dealing with PANIC ATTACKS. But for the past couple months....there not like panic attacks.... i dont freak out and shit like i use to.... these last for hourssss and it doesnt go away UNLESS i go to sleep..i wake up and feel much better. See....I use to be a party animal too.... well i still am but nothing like before... I use to drink everyday! I still drink but like once opnce a week. Its horrible... you feel really cloudy... you cant focus on shit, your heart is racing fast as hell but your mind and body is so WEAKKK and so TiRed..... and you feel like your dying. Well thats how i feel. I get so weak that if i got any weaker..it would be DEAD. Theres no way i could get any weaker than that. But its so hard for me to fall asleep. I lay in bed and my heart races like hell.... so i take REMERON every night to knock me out... Everybody says " oh you think negative.. blah blah" BULL! Ill be chillin or whatever and it starts. Ofcourse I am going to start thinking negative when im feeling so horrible. There is nothing you can do when your feeling like this man. There are things to prevent it... {dont drink :) }and breathing exercises...bla blah.... but i really havent found nothing to help BUT sleep! Sleep, Chamomille tea, Linden tea, Sleep, and nothing else. Xanax or volume makes me even MORE WEAK and the weaker i am... the WORSE!@! ! I use to take Xanax for panic attacks and it worked AMAZINGLY! This is a weird kind of anxiety I have.... its not like IM ANXIOUS... OH MY GODD > > > SHIT > > > >WTF?????/ OPPISITE! Im all weak and tired and miserable and my heart races and i feel like a DOOM over me that i have some disease that no doctor can detect and im going to die,... and when they do my autopsy... THEN they'll find out what the hell was wrong with me. Anyways... I got you on my buddy list so I will IM you.... By the way, My Name is Cynthia... 21 F and i live in FLORIDA... so you want to chat... IM me :MiStiCiLLuSiOnZ is my screename! Take care girl....
Posted by crazychickuk on January 24, 2002, at 14:24:49
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by Panic AttacK on January 24, 2002, at 12:03:34
hi girly... WOW.. same feeling as me then, what about your symptoms when you are having an attack? what happens to you? my head feels heavy, my eyes are blood shot, i feel exhausted, all sorts please i em me happy_hippy69uk on yahoo and crazychickuk on aol...... or any one that has my symptoms please feel free to chat... i em me or email me.....
Posted by Panic AttacK on January 24, 2002, at 19:49:35
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 24, 2002, at 14:24:49
Im having a HORRible attack rightnow... i feel like im going to die.. i cant even type rightn ow. Ill write bnacl tomorrow! *cynthia&*
Posted by crazychickuk on January 25, 2002, at 10:55:27
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by Panic AttacK on January 24, 2002, at 19:49:35
> Im having a HORRible attack rightnow... i feel like im going to die.. i cant even type rightn ow. Ill write bnacl tomorrow! *cynthia&*
How are you feeling now? you be fine, just remember that its just an attack it will go away, i feel so much better knowing that other ppl have the same symptoms as me... i have been to the doc today, and was prescribed cipramil tablets any one else had them????
Posted by Rakken on January 30, 2002, at 12:30:38
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 25, 2002, at 10:55:27
In a 1/2 hour I'm going to my pdoc. I am going to see if he'll let me try out klonopin or another benzo for my unrelenting anxiety. I'm freaking out due to the anticipation. I just hope I can spit out my argument and feelings about the whole situation. I think of all these things to cover, but when I try to say them I cower back and often bypass ideas and important statements. Well, hopefully I can get through it and convince him to give benzos a chance. I talked to my uncle's friend who takes .5 mg klonopin and he says it is a miracle drug. He hasn't developed any tolerance and has no side effects. Hearing him talk about how he can enjoy life without anxiety makes me so envious but gives me a sense of hope as well. There is something out there that may work and work well!!! But I have a feeling I'm just getting my hopes up. They'll be shot down in a 1/2 hour and I'll be stuck in the same position I am in now.
Ermm... Guess I drifted off topic. Anyways, I had bloodshot eyes all yesterday and into today. Maybe they still are bloodshot (I really hope not. My pdoc will throw me out of his office.) So are bloodshot eyes sometimes a sign of high anxiety or extreme stress? I am pretty sure that dilated pupils are.
Posted by Rick on January 30, 2002, at 19:55:30
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by Rakken on January 30, 2002, at 12:30:38
Hope you got your Klonopin. If not, a suggestion for next time: If you write down the things you want to cover and go through them as a checklist, you'll be less likely to let things slide.
How long has your uncle's friend been taking Klonopin?
> In a 1/2 hour I'm going to my pdoc. I am going to see if he'll let me try out klonopin or another benzo for my unrelenting anxiety. I'm freaking out due to the anticipation. I just hope I can spit out my argument and feelings about the whole situation. I think of all these things to cover, but when I try to say them I cower back and often bypass ideas and important statements. Well, hopefully I can get through it and convince him to give benzos a chance. I talked to my uncle's friend who takes .5 mg klonopin and he says it is a miracle drug. He hasn't developed any tolerance and has no side effects. Hearing him talk about how he can enjoy life without anxiety makes me so envious but gives me a sense of hope as well. There is something out there that may work and work well!!! But I have a feeling I'm just getting my hopes up. They'll be shot down in a 1/2 hour and I'll be stuck in the same position I am in now.
>
> Ermm... Guess I drifted off topic. Anyways, I had bloodshot eyes all yesterday and into today. Maybe they still are bloodshot (I really hope not. My pdoc will throw me out of his office.) So are bloodshot eyes sometimes a sign of high anxiety or extreme stress? I am pretty sure that dilated pupils are.
Posted by Marie416 on April 10, 2002, at 13:39:47
In reply to Re: ANXIETY SYMPTOMS ARE DEADLY!!!!?, posted by crazychickuk on January 25, 2002, at 10:55:27
Hey crazy chick
How are you doing now?
Anxiety disorder is a terrifying thing to go through. I had my first experience when I was 18. It is amazing how the mind can play such tricks. I am now 28 on meds again for this is my 3rd episode. Each time I start out with severe anxiety and then slip into a deep depression. On days that I was especially anxious I'd swear that I'd rather be depressed and on days that I felt the depression a lot I'd swear I'd rather be anxious. There are many good books to read and don't be afraid of the medications, start at low dosages. Sometimes you just have to stick it out with one and have faith. I was impatient and jumped around. I'd give them 2-6 weeks depending on side effects. Finally I settled on effexor and I can say that it was also a tough drug to tolerate at first. On top of that it took 3 months to even touch the depression. Take it one day at a time. Anxiety and depression will resolve themselves over time, its just how much pain do you want to go through. It takes strength to carry this burden through your life like other illnesses. Life is not easy. Put your faith in God that it will not last forever. Never settle for less than a healthy body and mind and keep trying new methods. Just the initiative bring about significant changes over time. Good luck T
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