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.

silverpaw | @silverpaw | Apr 22 1:08pm
In reply to @gingerw "@silverpaw Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you are looking out for yourself, and..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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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Yes, I'm set up with Zumbro Valley Mental Health, and I now have a Therapist, Thank You Caring Kindness!

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silverpaw | @silverpaw | Apr 22 1:10pm
In reply to @ellemccope "Zoloft had helped me for 24 years with anxiety (panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and..." + (show)
@ellemccope

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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Yes I'm on Lamictal and It is working Great!

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2 replies
ellemccope | @ellemccope | Apr 22 1:34pm
In reply to @silverpaw "Yes I'm on Lamictal and It is working Great!" + (show)
@silverpaw

Yes I'm on Lamictal and It is working Great!

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Oh! Thank you SO much for replying and for responding so quickly. You made me feel so much better!!!! I really appreciate you!!!

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1 reply
ellemccope | @ellemccope | Apr 22 1:42pm
In reply to @silverpaw "Yes I'm on Lamictal and It is working Great!" + (show)
@silverpaw

Yes I'm on Lamictal and It is working Great!

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Thanks, again, for responding. Would you mind also sharing what dosage you’re on?

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1 reply
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Apr 22 2:25pm
In reply to @gingerw "@silverpaw Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you are looking out for yourself, and..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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

Jump to this post

@silverpaw I'd like to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I saw your later post that you are working with a mental health therapist. I hope this is helpful for you. Working through one's mental health problems especially if are childhood issues can take some time and patience. Does that resonate with you?

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1 reply
silverpaw | @silverpaw | Apr 22 2:33pm
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@silverpaw I'd like to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I saw your later post..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@silverpaw I'd like to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I saw your later post that you are working with a mental health therapist. I hope this is helpful for you. Working through one's mental health problems especially if are childhood issues can take some time and patience. Does that resonate with you?

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Yes it sure does;)

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silverpaw | @silverpaw | Apr 22 2:36pm
In reply to @ellemccope "Thanks, again, for responding. Would you mind also sharing what dosage you’re on?" + (show)
@ellemccope

Thanks, again, for responding. Would you mind also sharing what dosage you’re on?

Jump to this post

25mg daily;)

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1 reply
silverpaw | @silverpaw | Apr 22 2:39pm
In reply to @ellemccope "Oh! Thank you SO much for replying and for responding so quickly. You made me feel..." + (show)
@ellemccope

Oh! Thank you SO much for replying and for responding so quickly. You made me feel so much better!!!! I really appreciate you!!!

Jump to this post

Thank You;)

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ellemccope | @ellemccope | Apr 22 8:11pm
In reply to @silverpaw "25mg daily;)" + (show)
@silverpaw

25mg daily;)

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Thank you!!!

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sksnow | @sksnow | Apr 30 8:10am
In reply to @ellemccope "Zoloft had helped me for 24 years with anxiety (panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and..." + (show)
@ellemccope

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?

Jump to this post

Wow, I literally could have written this myself. Ive been on Zoloft for 22 years, it stopped working for me too.
I am currently undergoing chemo,( just finished my last round)for small cell lung cancer which has caused me a condition called SIADH. The waiting for scans to see if im going to make it or not is brutal to put it mildly.
SSRIs and SNRIs are a no go because they will make my sodium drop even lower. I was recently prescribed Lamactil, for treatment resistant depression (have tried SEVERAL meds over the years) and because it doesn’t cause sodium issues. My depression and anxiety is off the charts but I am so petrified of putting an unknown substance ,Lamactil, in my body that i cant bring myself to physically remove it from the bottle and put it in my mouth. It’s ridiculous. I NEED help but am too scared. Anyone have advice that might help me take that plunge?

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