Too anxious to take anxiety medication

[Purditapie]

I have generalised anxiety disorder and have taken ADs on and off for years. Currently not taken them for 18 months, but I am really, really struggling. Every day feels like torture, trying to deal with life when my mind is so filled with anxiety.

But - the thought of taking ADs again, with weight gain and possible links to heart disease and diabetes etc, makes me terribly anxious. I already have high blood pressure so my risk is higher, and I'm trying so hard to lose weight. The thought of taking them is horrible, and the thought of carrying on like this is awful too. Has anybody else felt like this, please? The Panorama programme last week didn't help either!

I’m sorry you’re going through this, anxiety and medication anxiety is a really tough cycle to break .

Could you start doing some cbt? It might help you focus your mind and learn more techniques on how to ease yourself when you’re particularly anxious.

My other thought is to go back and speak to your gp and see what they can a suggest. Even a short spell on a lower dose anxiety tablet might just be enough to help you feel better.

You need to weigh up the pros and cons. Yes your might gain weight but you’re currently struggling. I’d happily gain weight if I knew I’d feel better. Could you join a guys class or a fitness class once a week to help keep your weight down?

I was on anxiety medication for years. I found it hard and didn’t like taking tablets. I eventually weaned off of them. It was really tough. I went through a period of really bad anxiety and depression and needed to go on tablets for a while to help. I actively found ways to help ease my anxiety without taking tablets. I keep a diary and write in it when I’m feeling really low, this helps to get the thoughts out of my head. I keep a goal tracker and give myself achievable goals so if I’m finding my week is hard then my goals will be to clean the house, make the bed, go a walk- small achievable things I can feel proud of completing. I’ve taken up an exercise class to help me focus and keep me active. Overall I’ve found one person I can confide in, who just listens, when I’m at my lowest.

You need to find things thag work for you. If going on tablets helps you right now then go on them and take them until you can find things to do that will help ease your anxiety.

sorry for my long post!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. It feels better to know somebody understands. I am in a really horrible place. I wrote something on the online form to the GP tonight, but then deleted it again. I don't know what outcome I want, and I am so scared all the time. I like the idea of your goal tracker, thank you.

When your short term struggles outweigh the long term goal, your anxiety needs treating.
I too have GAD and tried to wean off medication twice. I've learnt to accept that for the time being they are what I need to keep the calm in my mind.
I've been through the torture and it's so debilitating. I hate the weight gain, I've never been told risks about heart problems etc. So there's a new thing to panic about (light hearted joke)
But honestly OP, the anxiety stops you treating the anxiety like the devil on your shoulder.
Long term you can work on ways to manage your anxiety without medication, short term you need the storm to simmer down.
If you had diabetes you'd take the medication required, if you broke your leg you'd have a cast to put it right.
If you have a outlet, friend or GP who understands please speak to them.

Thank you @SprinkleRainbow. Storm is exactly the right word - I feel like I can't get my breath at the moment. Ironically, diabetes is one of my anxieties, and the sertraline leaflet listed it as a potential long term complication! I know I can't carry on like this, but I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place with no way out. Your devil on the shoulder comment is so true - thank you for understanding.

@purditapie
Please remember they have to list any possible side effects but without the studies and evidence to prove its occurrence its not a common one.
I've been here too and asked my GP allsorts about my medication and they did put my mind at ease.
There's a risk with absolutely anything in life, but living in the thunderstorm of GAD is life limiting and no way to live.
Please call your GP tomorrow for an urgent appointment and see if they can offer you an alternative to ADs or an AD with less side effects. Don't live your life feeling like your constantly ready to fight or flight, its such a horrible feeling.

Hi, I'm so sorry you're anxiety is so high right now, I can completely relate and it's a horrible feeling.

I just wanted to comment on your worry about antidepressants being linked to heart disease and diabetes. I personally haven't heard this but I have been on these tablets for 25+ years and diabetes runs in my family but I am fine on both. I've recently had scans and my heart is absolutely fine (I'm 40). I don't believe a short course would do you any harm at all.

Hi lovely, fellow high bp anxious person here. I told the doc I really didn't want to go back on anti depressants because my life is good, I'm just stressed constantly, so she put me on a low dose beta blocker ri help my anxiety as well as my BP (also on enalapril) I wouldn't say I'm relaxed now but I have no physical anxiety symptoms

I'm on beta blockers too - Propranolol and it did really help with the racing heart etc.

Thank you all. I think I will try and contact the GP again. @KentuckyFriedChicken83 Thank you for the reassurance. I think part of the problem is that I am overweight already and my blood pressure is a bit high (probably due to the anxiety as well!). I am trying so hard to lose weight and sort this out. I keep having the unhelpful thought that if I was thin and healthy, I could take the medication, but I'm not!

You have all been really kind, thank you. I will try and contact the GP again when I am next off.

I also have anxiety disorder and have been on Lexapro 10mg for 5 weeks. It has made a huge difference to my quality of life.

I still have anxious moments but now I can recognise them and the feelings that go with it.

The meds make me really hungry at bedtime but I just make do with a hot drink. By morning those hunger pangs have gone.

Because I am nowhere near as anxious, I am also now more active so in the main, the meds have been a success for me.

I would give the meds a try because you will be surprised at what you can achieve when your anxiety is under control. Who knows, with CBT and medication, it could be a real turning point for you.

Good luck, I really hope you start to feel better soon.

@Flossyhair Thank you for this. Can I ask - was there a reason the GP put you on Lexapro? I haven't heard of it - I was offered sertraline, citalopram or fluoxetine, all of which I've taken at some point in the past.

Not sure why he chose that one but I've since heard that it's meant to be a very good choice for anxiety disorder.

It really has given me my life back. I was hesitant about taking it but it's certainly helped me enormously.

I take painkillers for my arthritis and think nothing of it. Anti anxiety meds are no different.

Be kind to yourself and remember that if one medication doesn't suit you, you will find another that does.