I'm not sure this is the proper forum (or even the proper website for that matter) to ask, but everytone here seems so nice, level-headed and helpful (I checked other sites about anxiety and panic disorders that all seem to focus on medication and it's side effects, and since I am not on, nor do I want to be on again, any medication) I wanted to ask anyone who was interested for their advice.
I am a ex-alcoholic of an abusive alcohlic father, and have had a lot of reason in my life to feel anxiety. These days it's pretty well controlled, but it pops up every now and then to the point where I want to crawl in a cave and never come out. I've arranged my life (lfeixble work, etc.) around this so it is not a matter of life and death to have to snap out of it like alot of people have to (to go to work, etc.) but it still worries me that I can go from healthy normal person to shaking, sweating and sprialing into withdrawal from people (I end up feeling persecuted and laughed at - like a freak in a human circus) so quickly.
My question is how others deal with it wihout medication/alcohol, etc. I exercise 3 times a week, eat well, sleep well (unless I wake up in a panic attack! and do everything else I should, but it ocassinaly rears its ugly head. The ONLY thing I have ever found to help immediatly is called Bach's Remedy, which is a mixtures of herbs that you place under you tounge, and it doeas seem to help, but I was wondering if anyone else had any other natural methods to deal with it on the spot.
I was on a double dosage of Aropax (I was told that a single dose is for depression (which I also had) but doubling the dosage works well for anxiety) but I felt like a zombie watching other people float by. It was almost as Iif I were more detached than when I was off of it. Without it I feel incredibly attached to the world (almost hyper-sensitive) but then go into hiding as I mentioned. But on medication nothing seemed to phase me. I honsetly think I could have done something ghastly like shoot someone and not realised it because I felt so "glossed over" and out of touch with ANY feelings.
Anyway, like I say I don't want to debate medications pros/cons as I have done that internally and rearranged my life where it is not necessary for me to sedate myself to be functional, I was just hoping someone else myight have a tip to help make my life a little more stable, and still let me feel the ups and downs, excitment and worry, that are part of life (including a sex drive!
My doctor put me on Buspirone for anxiety after a bout with pnemonia. I haven't felt any side effects from it at all.
I'm with Dyer.....not all of the 'natural cures' are natural or even a cure to begin with. I'd be careful with that. I have a friend who go into the whole 'St John's Wort' thing and it messed him up!! He was eating the things like jelly beans. He is now being treated for severe depression.
I had several anxiety attacks and problems sleeping when my father died of cancer, it had been 12 years since we had talked or seen each other and I guess I felt a lot of things at once.
Anyways, my doctor tried sleeping pills, but I hate those things, so they also tried Buspirone for when it felt as if I couldn't relax or breathe. Waking up feeling as if someone is smothering is not the way to go. I didn't have any bad effects from it, all I felt was a peaceful calm.
It did have one effect (not bad) but I did find that my tongue was a lot looser than it had been originally... if I thought something, I said it. Such as telling the ex to stuff himself in a locker and lose the combination (??). But other than that, all it did was ease the anxiety and make me a calmer person who spoke her mind.
I went off it about six months later, gradually. My friend also has anxiety attacks and hight strung, and she was prescribed Zoloft. I thought that was anti~depressant but it works for her, and she is on the lowest prescription.
Otherwise, without drugs, I just try to remember that things always change, tomorrow will be different and what is important today may not be so important tomorrow. I haven't had a sever attack for awhile so I may be out of practice.
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Be careful what you wish for, the Universe has a wicked sense of humor
I'm actually not adverse to medication if I could just find the right one, so I took all your advice and looked up Buspirone. It's described as:
an antianxiety agent that is not chemically or pharmacologically related to the benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other sedative/anxiolytic drugs.
It sounds exactly like what I need - just anxiety control, but not a sedative. I still remember sitting on the couch for 3 hours once and not caring even if the house burned down!
I will have to ask my doctor, but it may be a different way to go for me. Has anyone had good experince with half-dosages?
Many doctors prescribe Klonopin for panic and anxiety. It works well but does not give you that tired, zombie-like feeling. Also, antidepressants used in combination with Klonopin, such as Norpramin, Paxil or whatever works well for you, can be very helpful. There are many ways for successfully managing panic disorder without making you feel tired or uncomfortable. I'm sorry you are so turned off by meds now, that a shame, because a good doctor could have helped you quite well.
Thank you for suggessting Klonopin. Do you know how it compares to Buspirone? The chimical; description is completely different. I'd hate to try one, only to have to go off it and try the other.
Does anyone else have any expereince with Klonopin?
I'd like to thank you all. I'd lietarrly written off medication (I was on Aropax for almost 3 years...and it was hell to withdraw from - I couldn't walk for three weeks due to dizzy spells {my body felt like it was walking to the left while I was facing forward, short term memory loss, and many other truly debilitating side effects - it was one of the reasons I decided to change acreers so I wouldn't have to go out as much!)
Anyway, the thought of being able to rejoin the human race and being normal in normal situations is very exciting without having to rely soley on my self-control and discipline (deep breathing, self-hynosis, meditation, herbs, etc.) could be fantastic.
You make a serious mistake trying to get a lot of feedback from different people who are not licensed medical practitioners. Take the recommendations that are made here and consult with a medical doctor who can manage your medications for you. The meds I suggested above are commonly used in panic disorder and meet your requirements. Now, you have to ask your doctor if they will be right for you.
Stop comparing medications. Every one of them is different. I'm sorry you're having this problem and I understand your desperation but nothing will substitute for an excellent doctor. If the one you have now is not helping, find another physician.
All those prescription medications (Maoi's) scare me. If the natural stuff works, go with it.
I had something really freaky happen to me about a year ago, and I could swear it was an anxiety attack. I am fearful of being put on these prescription meds.
I hope you find something that helps you, no matter what you choose to do!
Were you diagnosed with anxiety attacks? Was there any investigation into PTSD? If you had a past of abuse, you could be suffering from PTSD, which responds well to EMT. If your doc has not checked this out, it's worth looking into.
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I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creatures, let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
I agree Tony, I would never (or could never) get a prescription without the advice of a Doctor, but I can't help but feel that, based on my experince, a little knowledge beforehand might be useful this time
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and do everything else I should, but it ocassinaly rears its ugly head. The ONLY thing I have ever found to help immediatly is called Bach's Remedy, which is a mixtures of herbs that you place under you tounge, and it doeas seem to help, but I was wondering if anyone else had any other natural methods to deal with it on the spot.
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