Hi, I'm new to the forum. Debilitating anxiety.

[Cotney]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but desperately struggling with anxiety and seek a greater sense of community in my struggles. I had issues with anxiety 5 years ago, went on beta-blockers, and occasionally klonopin. After a miserable year, it went away and I chalked it up to a bad time in my life when I was 21. Now: 3 weeks ago I had a panic attack. This was followed a couple of days later by anxiety and fear of allergic reaction after being in a house with cat. My health anxiety spiraled down from there. I felt like I couldn't breath well for a week and went to the doctor. They gave me steroids and breathing improved but anxiety persisted. The doctor was more concerned about my high heart rate and now I am seeing a cardiologist for stress test, event monitor and echo-cardiogram. The following week my stomach began to hurt each time I ate in the upper region. I developed paranoia about this. This was also the week I began my internship to complete graduate school. I continue to take the klonopin and had some days where I felt like I was improving. Mostly though, I've been miserable, afraid of a deadly illness or sudden death while at my internship site: an elementary school. This week my arm began hurting and I've developed great concern about having a blood clot. My arm sometimes feels as though it is burning up through my shoulder and my fingers/hand feel tingly and numb. This terrifies me when I'm in the middle of teaching and I think I'm having a stroke or need to dissolve a blood clot. I left my internship early today because I am so uncomfortable and miserable there. This makes me feel inadequate and ashamed of my inability to function and be successful. My family has been very supportive but are encouraging me toward antidepressants. Will these help? I'm seeing a counselor and also considering EMDR therapy. It's like a dark shade of fear has set in my brain and I can't see, think about, or feel things clearly. What has helped others?

[jenvz]

Hello!

I'm on 10mg Prozac and it has helped me so much. It was a God send. I have GAD, and I would worry day and night that I was going crazy last year. I finally went to a therapist, and after a few meetings I met with a psychiatrist. I was prescribed 50mg of Zoloft when I met with the first psychiatrist. (I'm 5'2 and weighed about 110 pounds at that point) So I have no clue why he wanted me to take that much. I was really stubborn and I did not want to take an antidepressant every single day. I was already taking Ativan and sometimes Xanax because I had access to it. I would take those meds every single day anyways though. But I wanted my own prescription for a benzo. So I went to another psychiatrist. He is a very well known doctor and has helped a lot of people in his day. He prescribed a low dosage and told me to take it no ifs ands or butts. And I trusted him so I did. The first three weeks I took it my life was hell... My anxiety got worse and I didn't get any sleep. But then... It was like a switch was flicked. My anxiety went away. I no longer had panic attacks. I was back to sleeping normally. No side effects other than a little trouble with sexual pleasure. I was back to my old self before I started worrying my life away. I haven't touched a benzo since. I'll have a day here and there when I worry again but I would HIGHLY recommend talking to your doctor about what you worry about and ask him about an antidepressant for your anxiety. You worry too much :) and you remind me of me.

[gypsylee]

Hey and welcome :)