FFS does ANYTHING work for anxiety?

[orangeandlemons]

Beacuse it damn well doesn't for me.

In Jan suffered stress and anxiety form work. Have been off since then. Was on 100mg amitriptilene when I went under.

Since then have been on a whole raft of ad's. ALL of which made me worse, much much worse, Crisis team intervention worse.

Failed ad's include: trazadone, imipramine, escitalopram, sertraline: all made anxiety terrible, or made me want to top myself. Even when I managed to get through the start-ups. Am allergic to prozac and lofepramine

Now on Mirtazapine which seems to be doing nothing at all for anxiety. Nothing. Have seen consultant ho suggested Paroxetine or Duloxetine, bith of which are SSRi or simila type drug. My gp thinks would be unwise to take this bearing in mind previous episodes, and I am terrified of taking them

I had high hopes for mirtazapine, but it just seems like an anti-histamine, made little difference to anything. Anybodyoffer any help?

20mg a day but googling has reassured me that this is the recommended "starter" dose and dosage is generally kept between 20mg and 50 or 60 mg (depending on why you're taking it).

Phew! Was a bit worried there!

FWIW anxiety after having children makes sense to me - suddenly you are responsible for maintaining this tiny life that is dependant on you, so you become incredibly attuned to all the possible threats in the world. And like SardineQueen says, once you've had those thoughts it is hard to unthink them... and they are so so good at feeding themselves and getting stronger and better at holding your attention.

Watching this thread with interest, I have been prescribed so many ADs (paroxetine definitely didn't agree with me) and other drugs (buspirone, anti psych drugs) over the past 14 years and the only one that works at all is valium. I only take it when the anxiety is completely disabling (ie cannot get out of bed) but it is reliable in taking the edge off. I also take prozac which improves my mood.

My GP thinks that because I can get anxious with or without a trigger, it is a physiological thing in that my adrenal system is highly sensitive. I do faint occasionally from panic attacks and think I have a handle on that now most of the time but I've sort of stopped looking for a 'cure' as I think it's just how I am. There's a strong family history of anxiety and now my brother, who was a high flier in the city, has changed jobs because he's started suffering too.

I do hope you find something that agrees with you Oranges, it's such a tough condition.

Did they test all the usual, needtosleep? Thyroid,parathyroid, vitamin deficiencies etc?

I have a yearly thyroid check as my DM had an overactive one (now underactive after surgery) and I am slightly anaemic but take vitB and floradix. Not sure about the parathyroid, what is that exactly? Would it be included in a thyroid blood test?

No, parathyroid is quite rare but calcium blood test checks that. Similar symptoms to thyroid, and also to depression as well. That's what my relative had. It was actually the pth that flagged it up (pth+ calcium is the proper test)

With thyroid one, just check it doesn't go over 2 for tsh, that's all, they don't flag it up in the uk til it's well over 5 for some reason but you can get a lot of symptoms over 2 (they treat in usa from around 2.5 I think these days)

Alprazolam - prescribed abroad and worked very well - got rid of physical symptoms and made me so clear-headed. Diazepam prescribed in UK - not so good but OK.
CBT, it has helped me soooo much.
Tried antidepressants once, they made me extremely anxious, it was scary, will never do it again.
Good luck - GAD is a bummer but small changes in my life and CBT means that anxiety is the exception in my life now rather than the norm.

Thank you so much for that merci, I think I need to ask my GP for a test so it can at least be ruled out. Will have a google to find out if it can be hereditary too.

kerstina I also wanted to say blimey that sounds scary are you OK? If you are getting visual disturbances / hallucinations that doesn't sound too great. How long have you been on it?

Alcohol - they didn't tell me not to drink but the leaflet says to "avoid" alcohol. Which I think means it's OK a bit but don't go over the top. My dad says if there is a real contraindication eg immediate puking or whatever they make it clear at the doc and the pharmacist makes a point of mentioning it as well.

Dad is GP rather than random bloke hence citing him as a source!

Sardine, I remember being once prescribed ad's and this kindly old pharmacist boomed after me "careful with alcohol miss ekidna!!" as I was going out door. Really made me chuckle and was half the cure.

Fluoxetine, propranolol, therapy, meditation/guided imagery. Surrounding myself with safe people and calming things. Hormonal contraceptive stopped. Positive mental thoughts (when I could). Grabbing onto the good stuff and storing it!

Watching my diet, NO caffeine or alcohol, small regular meals, sleep ( as much as I could). Walking every day for at least an hour.

Been doing this since Jan and panic attacks down to maybe 1 a week ( i was having up to 10 a day, totally absorbed me) anxiety massively better ( except when PMT hits). I can now be on my own and go out to quiet places, not good with crowds yet. I don't need propranolol anymore. Even thinking of going back to work in a few weeks.

It's not all about the drugs, they help but you must be proactive as well!

Sardine Queen I first took seroxat about 15 years ago and it was a bit of a wonder drug for me and changed my angst type personality for the better. I never forgot how it made me feel and recently decided to go back on it at a low dose to help me cope with anxiety linked to my menstrual cycle.
I got different side effects this time such as dizziness so really reluctant to take the full dose.
My house is really dingy earlier this week I was in a caravan and there was lots of light .I am sure this caused the reaction with seroxat or the fact it was the dreggs of the bottle ! It was scary I felt like I was in candyman the horror film or something. I went into a dark room and it did pass.

Have quite a lot to say on all the various points here - really interesting thread. Not able to write fully now but will come back tonight

Had caffeine today first time in a month very anxious/stressed this afternoon - please everybody try to give caffeine up if you haven't tried, neither my GP or physchologist believe me but sod them and the ADs.

Go Chestnut! Yes and everybody please try the chamomile tea. I know it sounds far fetched but it really is helping me.

Hi all
( cupcake - thats the approach ive been trying to take. So a range of treatments - rather than just relying on medication.)

My 'history' is that until i was 29 and had twins i hadnt had any MH probs. Probably type A personality though. Always busy, ambitious, 'thrived' on stress - if I had a stressful week at work : nice weekend and I felt fine.

My twins were result of IVF and very much wanted but it was a difficult stressful pregnancy and i had been told that this was my 'one chance'. Was bit of a physical wreck for first few weeks after their birth but mentally fine. Then one night had a massive panic attack out of the blue. Collapsed and ended up being taken to A and E. Over the next couple of weeks was tested for all sorts (inc having an MRI) but in the end diagnosed as anxiety based PND.

Long story short. Determined not to take ads . Ended up on prozac. Made me 10x worse. Referred to psychiatrist. Took me straight off prozac. Tried 3 other ads - very severe physical and mental side effects. Eventually Psych put me back on half dose of prozac and then in end i was switched to seroxat (paroxetine.)

Eventually got better. 18 months later GP told me to stop. horrendous withdrawal. Back on. Ok - year later reduced slowly. Relapse / withdrawal - who knows. This then went on for the next 4 years.

In 2006 after final withdrawal attempt from seroxat ended up with 3 months off work. In really bad state. Onto clomipramine. Very difficult start up but then eventually ok for next 4 years on relatively low doses. Same thing happened when came off slowly in 2010.

Since 2010 ive been ok with intermittent blips. These vary in intensity but can be very severe. Im still on 35mg of clomipramine. Still has significant impact on life. (ruined my 40th celebrations in 2010. now a major consideration re whether I apply for a promotion to my dream job that ive spent the last 15 years working towards. When Im 'well' I know I can do it with my eyes shut (ive been acting up in the role for 6 months) - when Im not I just cant cope with it on top of the anxiety/depression.)

Re. the question of why the horrible thoughts come back. I think its because 'that place' has been visited in your mid it becomes easier to go there again. Almost like the pathway there has been cleared. (If that makes any sense.)

The things i try and do:

• reduce symptoms by 10% (doesnt feel unrealistic but enough to make things bit more unbearable.)
• reduce sugar and caffeine / good diet
• Use CBT techniques
• relaxation exercises

-Plenty of sleep/rest

• 'Trying' not to add another layer to the anxiety with 'ill never get better' thoughts.

-Regular walks

Its been really helpful reading everyone elses experiences on here.
Kizzie

Thanks for sharing ur story kizzie.

I am same as you in that I never experienced any MH problems until the birth of my first DS. I often wonder if the stress of feeling solely responsible for theses little people is a major under lying trigger and every other aspect of life becomes stressful...just for the hell of it

The mind is a very complex thing and a pain in the f&&&ing arse if you ask me! X x

I agree that once you've experienced it then it can come back. It's almost like the door has been unlocked and never closes again.

I will need to be careful I the future not to take on to much. The scares heal but will always be susceptible to relapsed.

Oh Kizzie, you are my twin. How horrendous all that sounds . But in a selfish way it makes me feel better to know I am not the only one to suffer horrendous off the scale side effects. Sorry about your awful withdrawal from seroxat, justwhat you needed no doubt.

Re your work thing. If you come clean about your probs in the work place, they should be able to adjust your job. This might make it possible to apply for your dream job. Can't discriminate you see. Or can't you apply, and then come clean? Don't know if any of it helps.

FWWIW. I have come clean about all of it at work. I feel much better for doing so, but do have a big union behind me. I have applied for Access to Work help to alleviate some of the stress. What I found so amazing, was how EVERYONE sought me out to tell me their mh problems. It was unbelievable really....and I haven't EVEN gone back yet! This has been through phone calls, random meetings in town, meeting colleagues for coffee,when I've popped in. It's like people are desperate to talk about it.Wonder how many more are going to noble me when I actually go back Everyone has a mh problem to tell it seems to me. As a society I wish we were more open about it. Even my line manager 'fessed up

In fact it seems like most of the workplace ...and it's a nice place to work really, so it seems we are a very delicate race

I have been doing mindfulness meditation for a month or so now, it's working wonders, and has made me voluntarily quit my beloved zispin
. Worth a go?

Glastocat, is Zispin Mirtazapine. That's what I'm on, did it actually do anything at all?

Yommymommy, just read your post about pregabalin. From what I have heard/read it is meant to be excellent for anxiety. However, it is apparently an eaty drug ifkwim, and it has to be prescribed by a consultant 'cos it's expensive. Good old NHS

I would never recommend paroxetine, though it worked rather well for my anxiety, the side effects were horrible and discontinuation syndrome horrendous. Brain shocks so bad I felt like the world spun on its axis, and a complete breakdown when I had no tablets for three days by accident.

I managed a very difficult transfer from paroxetine to venlafaxine, and I have access to low dose diazepam for those particularly difficult times, all I have to do is call up my doctor for a prescription, after being diagnose with anxious personality disorder. This helps me to manage the worst of it.