BrownEyedGirl
06-24-2009, 06:53 PM
Hi,
Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with anxiety, after quitting my job due to severe anxiety and problems breathing.
I guess the anxiety has been building over time due to a number of serious life changes including partner, job, uni and feeling like, after years of study I was pursuing the wrong career.
Looking back, anxiety has been a problem for a few years now, but since the beginning of this year has accelerated rapidly. It began to get serious while traveling for work, where I almost blacked out on a train - which I now understand was a panic attack - to a point where, two days ago, I was admitted to the local ER for breathing difficulties.
And I guess that has been the peak of my troubles. My breathing difficulties began about a month ago. I find it hard to explain, but basically I am able to breathe but it feels as though my breathe is not deep enough to tide me over. I find myself trying to yawn a lot to draw in a deep enough breath, and this sometimes works. Anyway, what was once a once-a-day issue turned into a most-of-the-day issue, until two days ago I was having trouble breathing all day and eventually worked myself into a pacic attack.
When I was first diagnosed three weeks ago, my doc sent me to a Psychologist for some cognitive therapy which we are kicking off next week. But I went back to see him yesterday and after explaining that I can't breathe properly 24/7 and avoid leaving the house because of it, he prescribed the following:
Lovan 20 - one a day
Alprax 0.25 - to have when I am feeling severely anxious (this is the cheaper generic brand, I can't remember the name of the drug he actually prescribed).
Anyway, being conscious of such a long post, I want to wrap this up by saying - things are getting worse for me, and I know I need help. I'm joining this forum to read up on other people's experiences to arm myself with some knowledge. But I'd also really like to hear from people about their experiences with the above drugs, including side-effects, and any advice they may have for me.
Thanks =)
Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with anxiety, after quitting my job due to severe anxiety and problems breathing.
I guess the anxiety has been building over time due to a number of serious life changes including partner, job, uni and feeling like, after years of study I was pursuing the wrong career.
Looking back, anxiety has been a problem for a few years now, but since the beginning of this year has accelerated rapidly. It began to get serious while traveling for work, where I almost blacked out on a train - which I now understand was a panic attack - to a point where, two days ago, I was admitted to the local ER for breathing difficulties.
And I guess that has been the peak of my troubles. My breathing difficulties began about a month ago. I find it hard to explain, but basically I am able to breathe but it feels as though my breathe is not deep enough to tide me over. I find myself trying to yawn a lot to draw in a deep enough breath, and this sometimes works. Anyway, what was once a once-a-day issue turned into a most-of-the-day issue, until two days ago I was having trouble breathing all day and eventually worked myself into a pacic attack.
When I was first diagnosed three weeks ago, my doc sent me to a Psychologist for some cognitive therapy which we are kicking off next week. But I went back to see him yesterday and after explaining that I can't breathe properly 24/7 and avoid leaving the house because of it, he prescribed the following:
Lovan 20 - one a day
Alprax 0.25 - to have when I am feeling severely anxious (this is the cheaper generic brand, I can't remember the name of the drug he actually prescribed).
Anyway, being conscious of such a long post, I want to wrap this up by saying - things are getting worse for me, and I know I need help. I'm joining this forum to read up on other people's experiences to arm myself with some knowledge. But I'd also really like to hear from people about their experiences with the above drugs, including side-effects, and any advice they may have for me.
Thanks =)