anxiety has a hold of me

[damama]

This morning while cleaning I coughed, tickle in my throat, and had an immediate thought/old irrational fear pop to mind (do I have asthma?) and went into an anxiety attack immediately. Now I'm riding out the waves of adrenalin using my coping skills and focusing on staying in the moment, grounded; not caught up in my irrational fears. Its so hard. I'm already sore all over from exercising last night (after taking 2 weeks off) and my legs feel all jittery.

Can any of you share how you cope with anxiety attacks, irrational thought blocking, etc.??? I know my anxiety stems from a hypochondriac root. I hate it. However, the good thing is I've finally figured this out by paying attention to what makes me anxious and it turns out it is always a fear of 'something is physically wrong'. (i.e. I'm having an allergic reaction, I'm having an asthma attack, my throat is closing up, I'm going to pass out, etc) I'm not asthmatic. Help!

[Buxy`s Back]

maybe the anxiety is not yours at the moment,withdrawal anxiety seems to come when it pleases,the only way i can cope with it is to find something to do,work off a little adrenaline,ie light housework,washing ,nothing strenuous just enough to keep me occupied till it settles down,the thing about the thinking something is wrong was amplified during my time on seroxat so maybe it bee more induced by it for you too something that will settle down after withdrawal.Excercise can amplify anxiety in w/d too as i found to my cost,would just say ride it out,find something to occupy for your mind as it will settle again,i also find that when its w/d anxiety,you cant stop it its just riding it out,good luck hang in there it will ease up

[rdjanis]

Well, you are half way to beating it... you have figured out what triggers it. In withdrawal many people complain on how they will focus on something and end up having a panic attack. You KNOW the trigger, when it happens tell yourself it is not real and continue on. Keep reinforcing this over and over.

[damama]

Thanks for the response. I just counted the days on the calendar since my last period and I'm at day 30 today. I've been ranging from 28 - 34 days since I started this whole tapering process. Its a safe bet I have premenstral anxiety. This is the toughest bout of anxiety I've had in a long while. Just keeps coming back after I get calmed down. My muscles feel hot all over. Almost like a hot flash. Rita, I keep repeating your words to myself; this is not real. Its just a feeling and it will go away no matter how uncomfortable it may be. I'll get through this.

[elisa]

Look in the Supplement Section of this board. It's got an article about Calcium and Vitamin D for PMS. It might be helpful.

[tcl18]

Boy, have I been in your shoes, and then some. What i found really helpfull is practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, guided imagery. The key is you must practice even whne you not anxious. If you stick with it you will come to the point that you can calm your self down with a few deep breaths. Sound too simple? It is. It takes lots of practice and most peopeol don't give it a chance because they don't see an immediate effect. Truist me. I worked at it for several weeks and can now head of an attack before it really gets going.

[MicheleT]

10-12 in-out breaths a minute is what to aim for. Practice while you are calm, if you can. Use a clock or watch with a second hand. In the end you will know what it feels like to be breathing at the right rate - it becomes second nature and you won't need a clock. What you are aiming for is to concentrate on the breathing to take the mind off the anxiety and if you can recognize the first signs that you are going into a panic attack (heart racing, breathing quickly etc) that's when to do the breathing. tcl18 is right, it does work!

[Cyndee]

Anxiety attacks are killing me!!! I deal with them by sometimes staying in bed and reading, going outside in the sunshine, just getting through the day as best I can. Not a very good answer--I don't have an answer for this.

[rdjanis]

Originally Posted by Cyndee

I deal with them by sometimes staying in bed and reading, going outside in the sunshine, just getting through the day as best I can. Not a very good answer--I don't have an answer for this.

It is a great answer Cyndee....relaxation, sunshine and taking it day by day. This IS the answer to getting through this process.

Yikes, it seems like some of u guys might be better off on the Paxil. I know most of you on the board are antipaxil and about self learning, but if ur miserable maybe a small 10mg a day wouldnt hurt? I'm still undecided as to what to do with myself. I am at 10mg and don't want to decrease!

[babs]

Dennis, there's nothing wrong with staying on the 10mg if you want to. But you need to be prepared for the possibility that it will quit working. People have posted over and over that sooner or later it poops out, and then you have to withdraw whether you like it or not. I can totally understand where you're coming from; I felt a lot better on Paxil than I do now. But after a few months of reading and posting here, it is sinking in that the only long-term solution to my problems doesn't come from covering them up with drugs. A glass of wine or joint or whatever is your pleasure will make you feel good and forget your problems, but it won't solve them. I consider Paxil to be no different than those.

[rdjanis]

Originally Posted by dennisdavid1974

Yikes, it seems like some of u guys might be better off on the Paxil.

Many people on this site were put on paxil because of things other than depression/anxiety. What they are suffering is withdrawal from paxil....not any other illness. Doing it the way you suggest means one would never be 'free' of the symptoms and side effects. It is not an easy battle for sure, but it is a choice if you want to live a life of numbed feelings, sexual side effects and the numerous other things it causes. Or to choose to go through the process and come out the other side 'alive' again. Many times for those that were prescribed meds for anxiety/depression can battle it much better with the proper therapy to learn coping skills, rather than numbing their emotions.

I look at this site as 'pro life'.

[soulgalgirl]

Originally Posted by dennisdavid1974

Yikes, it seems like some of u guys might be better off on the Paxil.

There is no one better off than those who struggle for and eventually gain independance. Even in degrees. Stay at 10 mg for as long as you like. It is a degree of independance you have earned. But let's not pull people off the road of self mastery just because their struggle might make us uncomfortable. :-)

[elisa]

Originally Posted by tcl18

What i found really helpfull is practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, guided imagery. The key is you must practice even whne you not anxious. If you stick with it you will come to the point that you can calm your self down with a few deep breaths. Sound too simple? It is. It takes lots of practice and most peopeol don't give it a chance because they don't see an immediate effect. Truist me. I worked at it for several weeks and can now head of an attack before it really gets going.

While I'm not as far advanced as you are on this technique to prevent anxiety, sofar the deep breathing technique is certainly helping me a LOT!! It makes me fall asleep as well.

Originally Posted by Cyndee

Anxiety attacks are killing me!!! I deal with them by sometimes staying in bed and reading, going outside in the sunshine, just getting through the day as best I can. Not a very good answer--I don't have an answer for this.

I dunno, I'm for being drug free, but I'm not for people being miserable. It sounds like she is miserable. I know for myself, if I were to go down to 0mg, if after a period of time I could no longer blame withdrawal and I was miserable with panic attacks or depression, I know I'd go back on!

I remember how bad I was b4 paxil, and how it was so painful with all that anxiety and that I frequently thought of suicide to end the pain.

I just don't like hearing about people being in all that misery, and I don't wanna go there again myself! I'll take the sexual side effects any day over wanting to die becuz of that severe anxiety.

I am at 10mg, but I think I want to go back up! I am at a crossroads.

[soulgalgirl]

Originally Posted by dennisdavid1974

I am at 10mg, but I think I want to go back up! I am at a crossroads.

Crossroads are very important places indeed. Good luck. :-)

[rdjanis]

The time needs to be right to go through this process, you need confidence in yourself and have worked on dealing with the anxiety, this way once drug free you can cope with the whole process. My daughter suffered horribly through withdrawal, be she gained coping skills that will last her life time.

Have you tried therapy to find out the reason behind your anxiety so that perhaps you can deal with it better?

I have a friend named steve who has schizophrenia. I told him how I was reducing my Paxil and he told me how I shouldn't, that I had mental illness (panic disorder) and needed to be treated, like insulin for a diabetic. I was thinking, where do we draw the line at what is mental illness and needs to be treated and what doesn't? I know he said that off of his meds, he would actually have conversations with someone imagined. He saw them and talked to them! Hallucinations and voices. ha, I told him atleast he'd always have a friend to talk to, hehe.

Anyways, I know that for him stopping meds would be disastrous and risky, and that in my case, its possible to say that also. When I told him I may come off of meds altogether, he said "well have fun being miserable!". I haven't come to the point where I feel altogether miserable, but I'm afraid that just may eventually happen. That will be my final crossroads! Do I go to the left, medication free, feeling awful or go to the right on Paxil and feel good. I am still hoping I will be able to get off the meds and not freak out socially everytime I see someone or have crippling panic attacks. My panic gets severe enough that I will vomit, right then and there, during the attack, which really sucks. Can't hide that aspect!

I would like more feedback from others about why they stopped in the first place and if they are miserable without the Paxil.

Thanks all,
Dennis

[appygirl]

Dennis,

Im with you on this one. I have dealt with crippling anxiety/panic and depression my whole life. I too want to be off paxil someday too (been on for bout 7 years). I have weaned down to 0mg and was nearly put in the hospital. I am now stable on 20mg (down from 40). I see it as a huge accomplishment that I can now function on only half the dosage that I have been at the last 7 years. But at the same time, I am scared to fool around with the paxil again at this time. Before I was on medication I was absolutely miserable and had all the suicidal thoughts and non-stop anxiety. Like you, I would rather have the side effects of paxil than to live like I did with no paxil.

Its definately a hard choice, these drugs were not designed for long-term use, many people have had it "poop out" on them. Personally, I have been on it for 7 years and still going strong. But who knows if and when it may someday stop working. I don't know, but all I can do is listen to my body and if it allows me to wean down further and maybe someday stop it all together....GREAT But until then, I cant live my life being scared of when it poops out on me, if it ever even does. There are alot of people out there that are on paxil for reasons that are not even imaginable...... these people don't have nearly the road ahead of them like those of us who deal with non-stop anxiety, panic and depression that is so bad we cant even function. I guess I choose the path of keeping sain and if a day comes when im drug free....it will be a great day!!!

Hang in there

[debbiedye]

This morning while cleaning I coughed, tickle in my throat, and had an immediate thought/old irrational fear pop to mind (do I have asthma?) and went into an anxiety attack immediately. Now I'm riding out the waves of adrenalin using my coping skills and focusing on staying in the moment, grounded; not caught up in my irrational fears. Its so hard. I'm already sore all over from exercising last night (after taking 2 weeks off) and my legs feel all jittery.

I too have the same problem.

2 years ago I was facing for the very first time a severe problem with Diverticulitus that had developed suddenly.

Went across the street to my Dr and he gave me antibiotics and anti spasm meds. Well long story short, that evening 5-6 hours later had severe reaction to antispasm med and had a full blown panic attack. To the point of passing out.Got the tunnel vision, sparkles and low resporations.

Now every time I get irrational, I do the same riding the waves of anxiety.

Getting to where I dont want to leave home except for short trips into town. I live in the country. I too am trying to cope. I know just where you are coming from. Lucinda Bassett tapes and yard work helps me.

The Beauti control heat/cold wraps (alternating) kinda shocks me into easing the anxiety waves. Keeps me focused.

Does that make sense?

[ZoloPolo]

Damama I see you are still om paxil..it's maybe w/d..You have no astmha you said..Many have like you..When they go off Paxil...But you say you have aniexy in your before using Paxil...Not easy to be sure...if it's w/d..But i I think so..
I understand if any have problem to live without paxil, .....and maybe decided to go up to a hihger dose again....Why most of people here feel very horrilbe misserable often over a time.?.Because, many have w/d or are still tappered off the paxil. So when stop using paxil, aniexy and many more symtoms can comes, and after differents times..slowly people been better and better. It's not a disorder or a label often I have seen.., it's more like W/D-symtoms from paxil..Who is horrible to fight against. I have done it for long time..And have no more aniexy etc.When I was on it.and the decided to get off...I never was myselft I was drugged and had many hard symtoms hith them to.......My sexlife - my feelings is back again, I have much more open feelings today..Try to focus on any oher things, if possible..try to relax..think it's temporally, nothing happends whith you......And you have got many good advise here...why not try a relax-tape..and listen to it on and on again...training to not be scared when the attacks comes, nothing happends.....it's hard I know..I have also got trought it..and is so much better today..andbe so for you to....
Good luck damama..I'm hope you to be better soon...

[Cyndee]

Originally Posted by dennisdavid1974

I dunno, I'm for being drug free, but I'm not for people being miserable. It sounds like she is miserable. I know for myself, if I were to go down to 0mg, if after a period of time I could no longer blame withdrawal and I was miserable with panic attacks or depression, I know I'd go back on!

I remember how bad I was b4 paxil, and how it was so painful with all that anxiety and that I frequently thought of suicide to end the pain.

I just don't like hearing about people being in all that misery, and I don't wanna go there again myself! I'll take the sexual side effects any day over wanting to die becuz of that severe anxiety.

I am at 10mg, but I think I want to go back up! I am at a crossroads.

Hi Dennis--I was put on paxil for mild dysthymia, then increased for fibromyalgia, then increased again when my thyroid went out and I had a major depression (also 1 year after breast cancer). I am now retired and lead the kind of life where I can deal with things better. I also study Yoga which tells us that there can be pain without suffering, although I'm not always there. I do not want to medicate myself so I can be in a good mood--I want to learn to be free.

I think paxil definitely had its use for me, and for others too, and you might be very happy on it forever. I've decided to go a more natural route, which is appropriate for me at my stage of life. But we all make our own choices, and that is of the utmost importance--read the quote at my signature! Thanks

[scotty]

Originally Posted by dennisdavid1974

I have a friend named steve who has schizophrenia. I told him how I was reducing my Paxil and he told me how I shouldn't, that I had mental illness (panic disorder) and needed to be treated, like insulin for a diabetic. I was thinking, where do we draw the line at what is mental illness and needs to be treated and what doesn't? I know he said that off of his meds, he would actually have conversations with someone imagined. He saw them and talked to them! Hallucinations and voices. ha, I told him atleast he'd always have a friend to talk to, hehe.

Anyways, I know that for him stopping meds would be disastrous and risky, and that in my case, its possible to say that also. When I told him I may come off of meds altogether, he said "well have fun being miserable!". I haven't come to the point where I feel altogether miserable, but I'm afraid that just may eventually happen. That will be my final crossroads! Do I go to the left, medication free, feeling awful or go to the right on Paxil and feel good. I am still hoping I will be able to get off the meds and not freak out socially everytime I see someone or have crippling panic attacks. My panic gets severe enough that I will vomit, right then and there, during the attack, which really sucks. Can't hide that aspect!

I would like more feedback from others about why they stopped in the first place and if they are miserable without the Paxil.

Thanks all,
Dennis

First and foremost the "insulin" argument doesn't fly. You're talking about a documented biological disease with treatment that can be measured against a norm. ie. blood sugar range between 60-120 is normal for metabolic activity to occur. Altering serotonin is NOT proven, nor measureable, nor controllable with a specific dose of medication.
Dennis, you have to ask yourself what else you have done to control the anxiety beside ssri's. If you've done nothing other than take the pill, yes you will end up back on paxil. Taking paxil doesn't "cure" the anxiety, only you can do that with therapy and soul searching. Sure you can take paxil to prevent anxiety, but what happens if it stops working somewhere down the line, what do you do then?? These are real scenarios. There are NO long term studies to show what will happen after years of ssri use. We have NO idea at all if these drugs will continue to work, will blow up your liver,or cause permanent neurological damage by long term imbalance of neurotransmitters.
Make an informed decision on what you want for your future.

[damama]

Today started out great. The main difference was I didn't have my usual cup of coffee. I had a babysitter for my kids while I went out to get my shopping and banking done. It was great! By the time I got home around 1:00 pm I had a bad headache because I had missed my morning cup o' joe. So I fixed one, sipped it down in no time and headed off to my doc appt. with kids in tote. My BP was fine 120/70; my pulse, however, was at 80 bpm. My appt today was for a pain I get around my waist once in a while (I spare you all the details). She sent me for an x-ray of my back, said something about checking out T10. While I was there I gave her a printout of the entire paxil withdrawal guide and explained to her how much it helped me. I told her it was a great resource for anyone coming off paxil. I shared with her some of the problems/symptoms I've seen in other through this website and commented on how I most feel sorry for the people who were on paxil and it just quit working. She said they call that the "prozac poop-out", of course that term came more from when prozac used to just quit.

Anyhoo, since leaving her office to head over to radiation to get an x-ray I have been having a panic attack. I feel so nauseas, shaky, major headache, congested (not sure if its a cold or what) but I just feel all around horrible. I take it must be the coffee because the first half of the day I felt absolutely great.

How do I wean off coffee? I know I'll have to do this so I can get through the paxil taper with minimized anxiety but I don't want to get those horrific caffeine withdrawal headaches. HELP!!!!!!

[elisa]

Are you sure that it was caused by the coffee alone. Could the panic attack be the combination of the coffee and all the rushing around that provoked it??

Hope you're feeling better soon!

This is how I got off the caffeine: Mix regular coffee with decaf and slowly decrease the amount of the regular coffee. You'll end up with decaf only in a week or so. This method didn't cause me any headaches or withdrawl.

BTW: did you know that psychiatry has "coffee (caffeine) withdrawl" listed in their DSM IV book of "mental disorders"? DUH!!