Hi, New Forum Member Here

[MagentaGiraffe]

But not new to the world of anxiety, sadly. I'm ok at the moment. But I have to say that I am thankful for places like this, and this particular forum seems to be well run and quite busy, which is all good. Well, in at least it seems (and I hope) that there will usually be someone here day or night. I have a lot to discuss, and offer, but for now just the basics. I'm 53 and have suffered from anxiety my entire life. I once was able to completely control it through exercise; something I'm unable to do going on a few years now because of back problems. So now, the anxiety dilemma is back: meds - zombie/zero ambition or drive and weight gain. OR, no meds and white knuckle it through life. I DO wish there was a happy median. No time for now but I'll be back. Thanks for allowing me to post in the forum!

[Kuma]

Hi Giraffe. Maybe some exercises you could do even with the back troubles? A physical therapist or rehab doc might have some ideas? My friend who ran got back troubles but was not willing to give up exercise. So she took up swimming every day and feels pretty good. And regarding the meds dilemma, I bet there might be a med out there that would make you feel better but not like a zombie. Finding the right medications can involve a fair amount of trial and error. But there probably is a happy mid-point. You just have to find it. Good luck. Stick around here - in the General Forum - you probably have a lot to offer others.

[Goonshow]

New member here also.
Seeing doctor tomorrow for first time after two visits to hospital with SVT.
I firmly believe in counselling but I need some immediate relief from this hell I'm in. What drugs do people feel are best
?

[Kuma]

Goon - unfortunately, there is no one drug that is best for everyone. Some people will go through a lot of trial and error to find what works for them. As a general matter, one might say that benzos work to give immediate short-term relief from acute anxiety -- but are not a long term solution. SSRIs often work in the longer term, along with therapy. But that is an oversimplification, and there are other meds (such as beta blockers, for example) that can also help. A psychiatrist can give you some more tailored advice. Good luck.

* I am not a medical professional and nothing I write on this Board is medical advice. All medical issues should be discussed with a qualified doctor.

[busybunny]

Hello I'm also a new member here. I have been dealing with anxiety for a while now. I have been working two full time jobs and I found it is getting worse. When ever something goes not as I planned I get this tight feeling in my chest, a rapid heart beat, an inability to concentrate, jittery, and very irritable. This is ruining my relationship. I have tried to talk to my boyfriend about it but his answer is to just suck it up and deal with it. I came here to hopefully talk to people with similar situations and not feel so alone in the struggle.

[Kuma]

Bunny: With two jobs, it is not surprising that you feel some stress in your life -- that is stressful! I hope you can find some time to relax, and some ways to relax. Think about what you find relaxing, and make sure you find time to do those things regularly.

The difficulties in your relationship are probably exacerbating your stress -- another thing to worry about.

Telling you to just suck it up is not at all helpful. It shows that your boyfriend does not understand anxiety. But that may not be surprising; it is a bit hard to understand if one has not experienced it. However, it also betrays a lack of empathy. Even if he does not understand what you are feeling, doesn't he feel badly about your distress and want to help in some ways? If not, that is troubling. Maybe you need to have a candid conversation with him, when you both have some time and when you are not feeling a particularly high level of anxiety. People can change, but it does not usually happen without some impetus.

[busybunny]

Thank you for your input. It definitely helps to have someone listen. I ordered some supplements that said they help with anxiety. I don't want to get on medication if I can help it. As for my boyfriend ... He has his own emotional problems. He is cold and tries to remove all of his feelings. So compassion isn't his strong suit. But I accept it for what it is.

[Kuma]

I guess you will figure out whether you want to spend the rest of your life -- or any sustained period of time -- with someone who "is cold and tries to remove all of his feelings" and who is not compassionate. I would not want that. But to each his/her own, I suppose.

Regarding the supplements, I suggest you talk with a doctor. Supplements are not always as well regulated as medications, and some of them make claims that are not well established and may not be true. And there can be downsides to taking supplements, as well as potential benefits. So some caution is appropriate. Just because some supplement says it cures anxiety does not mean that is true. I am not saying that nobody should ever take a supplement. I take one myself. But before I did that, I read the relevant medical literature and discussed it with my doctor, rather than just relying the label or some marketing materials.

[JB478]

Hello. Yeah it seems that this site is quite active and busy which is a good thing for us.

[busybunny]

I agree talking to a doctor would be best... I don't have insurance at the moment and extra money is hard to come by. It's funny how I can pick up a second job and there is still no extra money. I don't know how I survived on one paycheck before. Lol I have been feeling better. It's almost like it comes and goes. What method do you find best for you to ease yourself when to start to feel anxiety come on?