Greetings everyone

[Dad]

Hi everyone, I just recently joined the anxiety forums and I am so glad I found this place. I am in my 40's, and while I think I've suffered from mild anxiety most of my life, it never became really bad (to the point of being debilitating) until I moved to a different state about 2 years ago. It was a big culture shock and I went straight into a highly intense new job. I had never experienced anxiety like this until making this move and I've been struggling with it ever since.

I had started with visiting my GP physician who did the usual prescribing of zoloft and klonopin. The zoloft helped a little but the side effects of shakiness and lots of hand sweating were not good either. The klonopin is okay, but it makes me feel a bit tired and loopy.

So then I went to a psychologist, who helped me learn various techniques for managing anxiety and put me through a series of EMDR sessions. I don't know how much the EMDR helped but the other techniques helped (breathing, etc.). He also recommended a psychiatrist, who put me on Cymbalta and klonopin. The Cymbalta was better than the zoloft.

Now I'm going through a divorce on top of all this. I had started smoking again, and drinking, not heavily, just a little more frequently. I hit a point where I realized all this medicating was just not making things better for me. I have since cut out the smoking and drinking altogether, and I am already feeling better. I have cut out the Cymbalta and cut back on the klonopin. I have been relying more heavily on the techniques taught to me by the psychologist, and I have also been exercising, making sure I get plenty of sleep (although my insomnia doesn't help--that's another story), and I really want to find natural, wholistic approaches (diet, mindful meditation, exercise, etc.) to managing my anxiety and get off the pharmaceuticals altogether. I have also started journaling each day which helps me too.

Anyway, that's my story in a nutshell, and I'm glad to be here.

[superchick22684]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a good set of coping skills to help you deal with your anxiety. Not surprised to hear that your anxiety increased after moving and having an intense job, both of those are considered to be stressful life events.

I think there are a few threads relating to meditation on the forum somewhere so you might want to give those a look.

[MiST]

And don't eat mushrooms because they are proven to be evil and bad for you..

[gypsylee]

Welcome to the forum Dad (that sounds a bit weird LOL) :)

[MiST]

I think that's the point..:p

[Anacin]

Oh no I hate cymbalta and klonopin I'm glad I'm off those.

[Dad]

Hi everyone, thank you for your replies.

Things have been getting better for me, or more accurately, more manageable...and I'm feeling better overall. Not perfect, but overall pretty good. I have just about eliminated the klonopin all-together. I find myself maybe once or twice a week needing to take a .5mg dose when all else fails and that's it. So here's what I've done. I visited with a nutritionist (who was formerly a pharmacist and got out because she saw the dangers of the meds and the benefits of natural remedies). It's a wholistic approach that involves diet, exercise, and meditation.

In the morning, I take:
1 multivitamin
1 B6 100mg
2 Metagenics Trancor
1 Berry smoothie (homemade: frozen mixed berries, milk, OJ, protien powder, banana)
10 minutes of mindfulness meditation

In the evening, I take:
1 serving Valerian Root (3 capsules, 400mg 4:1 valerian root extract, 100mg valerian root)
5mg Melatonin
Chamomile tea
Lavender essential oil on my wrists, behind the ears, and bottoms of feet
10 minutes meditation

I also have Metagenics Nusera, which I can take as needed, up to 2x per day for immediate relief of acute anxiety onset. Sometimes I will also try a cup of warm milk before bed. I exercise 3-4 times per week, eating healthier, and reduced my TV time (especially before bed) choosing instead to read books more.

With this, I have eliminated the Ambien, Cymbalta, and just about eliminated the klonopin. I feel so much better overall, I am getting better rest at night, and feel just naturally good during the day. I no longer feel like I'm just walking around all "medicated up" and feel more like my natural self. It doesn't mean I don't still have moments that I struggle but it's far less and I feel healthier overall. And it's something that must be an active commitment to keep up the regimen but that's okay. It has allowed me to feel more "in touch" with myself instead of just popping meds and forgetting about it. It's a continuous process but I'm very happy with the outcomes so far.

[superchick22684]

Hi everyone, thank you for your replies.

Things have been getting better for me, or more accurately, more manageable...and I'm feeling better overall. Not perfect, but overall pretty good. I have just about eliminated the klonopin all-together. I find myself maybe once or twice a week needing to take a .5mg dose when all else fails and that's it. So here's what I've done. I visited with a nutritionist (who was formerly a pharmacist and got out because she saw the dangers of the meds and the benefits of natural remedies). It's a wholistic approach that involves diet, exercise, and meditation.

In the morning, I take:
1 multivitamin
1 B6 100mg
2 Metagenics Trancor
1 Berry smoothie (homemade: frozen mixed berries, milk, OJ, protien powder, banana)
10 minutes of mindfulness meditation

In the evening, I take:
1 serving Valerian Root (3 capsules, 400mg 4:1 valerian root extract, 100mg valerian root)
5mg Melatonin
Chamomile tea
Lavender essential oil on my wrists, behind the ears, and bottoms of feet
10 minutes meditation

I also have Metagenics Nusera, which I can take as needed, up to 2x per day for immediate relief of acute anxiety onset. Sometimes I will also try a cup of warm milk before bed. I exercise 3-4 times per week, eating healthier, and reduced my TV time (especially before bed) choosing instead to read books more.

With this, I have eliminated the Ambien, Cymbalta, and just about eliminated the klonopin. I feel so much better overall, I am getting better rest at night, and feel just naturally good during the day. I no longer feel like I'm just walking around all "medicated up" and feel more like my natural self. It doesn't mean I don't still have moments that I struggle but it's far less and I feel healthier overall. And it's something that must be an active commitment to keep up the regimen but that's okay. It has allowed me to feel more "in touch" with myself instead of just popping meds and forgetting about it. It's a continuous process but I'm very happy with the outcomes so far.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better and that you have found a way to manage your anxiety. Everyone has those moments where they struggle with anxiety so if it happens please don't think any less of yourself. :)