1. < Depression & Anxiety
Mentor

What is Your Experience with Anxiety?

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Apr 7 7:19pm

Many of us experience anxiety and most every day one of us writes something here about anxiety. I thought I would start a discussion on this topic.

Some have experienced anxiety all of our lives and others experienced anxiety when diagnosed with a serious illness. Some people have panic attacks. Some people have anxiety that affects falling asleep or waking up early in the morning and not able to get back to sleep. We can explore what anxiety feels like to you, what goes through your mind and where you think it comes from. It's all up to you. You might want to share what has helped you as a way to support others on Mayo Clinic Connect.

Your turn. What would you like to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

lakesofdelray | @lakesofdelray | Apr 21 9:56am
In reply to @brosha1234 "Looking back I had anxiety/panic attacks since I was in elementary school. I remember my parents..." + (show)
@brosha1234

Looking back I had anxiety/panic attacks since I was in elementary school. I remember my parents would have birthday parties, but I’d get so overwhelmed/agitated by the large crowds. When it came time to open my gifts I’d become very agitated and would need to leave the room bc I’d start sweating, felt dizzy and just weird. Fast forward to high school senior year got to the point I was always is fight/flight mode. I would be in class and I could feel it coming on felt like I was going to vomit and just needed to get out. I couldn’t go to movie theaters, family vacations, out to eat. I seriously felt like a prisoner in my own life. It ruined my relationships with loved ones and I started self medicating with alcohol bc it’s the only thing that would take off that edge. I went to a psychiatrist did lots of therapy. We tried almost every single drug on the market. I just never had good luck with any bc I couldn’t tolerate them. My dr finally tried xanex and over the years it seemed to be like I had a life again. Here I am now 40 still on the xanex and it’s been 10 years and my biggest fear is happening. I am having panic attacks/anxiety all the time and affecting my work that’s a struggle to even do.I have a 18 year old son and 10 year old son and can’t be feeling like this. I went and saw a dr yesterday, but he suggested the medication Desvenlafxine 50 mg. I’m really scared to take it as I’ve been doing research and it’s banned in Europe.I guess I’m on here to see if anyone can relate to me ,what has helped you and any suggestions.

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My doctor switched me from Effexor to Pristiq. My experience was terrible. Memory issues. Crying. Just a mess We are now almost off Pristiq and on Zoloft. It’s only been two weeks still feeling lousy. Dr. Said I just have to wait. Good luck

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2 replies
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Apr 21 10:17am
In reply to @lakesofdelray "My doctor switched me from Effexor to Pristiq. My experience was terrible. Memory issues. Crying. Just..." + (show)
@lakesofdelray

My doctor switched me from Effexor to Pristiq. My experience was terrible. Memory issues. Crying. Just a mess We are now almost off Pristiq and on Zoloft. It’s only been two weeks still feeling lousy. Dr. Said I just have to wait. Good luck

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@lakesofdelray I'm wondering why your doctor switched you from Effexor. Did that medication stop working for anxiety? I haven't been prescribed Zoloft so I don't have any experience with that medication. Does feeling lousy mean you feel more anxious? More depressed?

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1 reply
brosha1234 | @brosha1234 | Apr 21 10:46am
In reply to @lakesofdelray "My doctor switched me from Effexor to Pristiq. My experience was terrible. Memory issues. Crying. Just..." + (show)
@lakesofdelray

My doctor switched me from Effexor to Pristiq. My experience was terrible. Memory issues. Crying. Just a mess We are now almost off Pristiq and on Zoloft. It’s only been two weeks still feeling lousy. Dr. Said I just have to wait. Good luck

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Im sorry you do not feel good I decided after much research and speaking to others not to go with that medicine. My other option was Zoloft so curious how it’s going to work….Do you feel lousy from Pristiq or the Zoloft?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 21 11:54am
In reply to @sash "Anyone try? Single dose of LSD provides immediate, lasting anxiety relief , study says By Sandee..." + (show)
@sash

Anyone try?

Single dose of LSD provides immediate, lasting anxiety relief , study says
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN
Updated 8:16 AM EST, Thu March 7, 2024

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@sash, I believe this is the news article you are referring to:
- Single dose of LSD provides immediate and lasting relief from anxiety, study says https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/07/health/lsd-anxiety-fda-breakthrough-therapy-wellness/index.html

With so many people affected by anxiety and treatment resistant depression and anxiety, researchers continue to study effectives therapies. It looks like this particular study of a controlled formula of LSD (not the street variety) is showing promise for further study. As such this therapy at the moment is only available to patients in the ongoing studies.

I see from your activity and posts that you are an avid reader of breakthrough articles related to pain, bursitis, and neuropathy, Pain and depression often become bed fellow. You may be interested in these related discussions:
- Pain and Depression
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-and-depression/

- Pain and depression, the one two punch.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-and-depression-the-one-two-punch/

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rashida | @rashida | Apr 21 2:41pm
In reply to @sophia53 "Try ART at therapy. It took away my racing thoughts. I do the same with games..." + (show)
@sophia53

Try ART at therapy. It took away my racing thoughts. I do the same with games & Instagram. I finally read enough to make my brain tired after hours of mindless scrolling. My husband asks me weekly if I have found the end of the internet. Thankfully no - I am however a swifty & I know many life hacks.

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@sophia53 by ART, do you mean actual art, or do those initials mean something else? Yes I too indulge in mindless reading and scrolling when I am not playing online games, and that always helps get my mind off the racing thoughts!

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lakesofdelray | @lakesofdelray | Apr 21 4:12pm
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@lakesofdelray I'm wondering why your doctor switched you from Effexor. Did that medication stop working for..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@lakesofdelray I'm wondering why your doctor switched you from Effexor. Did that medication stop working for anxiety? I haven't been prescribed Zoloft so I don't have any experience with that medication. Does feeling lousy mean you feel more anxious? More depressed?

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I had been on Effexor for at least 15 years. It was time for a change. I feel more depressed and have some stomach issues. Going off and trying Zoloft I pray that it works. I’m tired of not being me

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silverpaw | @silverpaw | Apr 21 9:46pm

My name is Gregory Chamberlain I have Severe Manic depression and General Anxiety Disorder, Personality disorder, I've Always felt Inadequate Ever since childhood, I use to suppress all of my Mental health issues, The loss of Our Daughter, My Champagne Bottle exploded, I was going to run Our Family Minivan off the road, Now I don't know if I have Bipolar of Severe Manic depression..

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1 reply
lizziel1 | @lizziel1 | Apr 22 10:51am
In reply to @lakesofdelray "I had been on Effexor for at least 15 years. It was time for a change...." + (show)
@lakesofdelray

I had been on Effexor for at least 15 years. It was time for a change. I feel more depressed and have some stomach issues. Going off and trying Zoloft I pray that it works. I’m tired of not being me

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Best of luck discontinuing the Effexor. I was weaned off very slowing a decade ago. It was a nightmare! I had brain zaps for 6 months after. Hope it goes well for you! 🩷

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 22 12:24pm
In reply to @silverpaw "My name is Gregory Chamberlain I have Severe Manic depression and General Anxiety Disorder, Personality disorder,..." + (show)
@silverpaw

My name is Gregory Chamberlain I have Severe Manic depression and General Anxiety Disorder, Personality disorder, I've Always felt Inadequate Ever since childhood, I use to suppress all of my Mental health issues, The loss of Our Daughter, My Champagne Bottle exploded, I was going to run Our Family Minivan off the road, Now I don't know if I have Bipolar of Severe Manic depression..

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@silverpaw Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you are looking out for yourself, and wondering what might be going on. Have you had the opportunity to speak to your doctor, and ask for some assistance to figure things out? Often having someone else beside ourselves to give their thoughts to the situation, helps a lot. Wanting to understand and wanting to work on what we are facing can be a difficult decision.

I hope you will speak to your doctor and move forward to get some help. Will you let me know what you decide to do, please?
Ginger

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2 replies
ellemccope | @ellemccope | Apr 22 12:49pm

Zoloft had helped me for 24 years with anxiety (panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and depression) and then around the peak of the COVID pandemic, it stopped working. 😔 I had apparently built a tolerance to it. Since then, my psychiatrist and I have tried numerous SSRIs, SNRIs, and even a couple of anti-psychotics, but I either couldn’t tolerate the side effects or they did absolutely nothing. The only med that is partially working is Mirtazapine (a tetracyclic) and that’s only giving me a partial response. Now, my psychiatrist wants to add Lamictal, but I am afraid due to side effects. Lamictal is FDA approved for treatment of epilepsy and Bipolar 2. I have neither. I just have major depressive disorder and anxiety. Has anyone had any luck with Lamictal who just has regular depression (not bipolar) and anxiety?

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