What is Your Experience with Anxiety?

For months I’ve been waking up every morning sweating, shaking, very nervous and very weak. Tried several anxiety medications wit no help. Currently taking 5mg Paxil and .5 mg Ativan twice daily. No help last most all day. HELP !

@janisjoplin6. Are you prescribed 5mg of Paxil for depression and anxiety? That's a very small dose and likely not very effective for the symptoms you are describing. Have you talked with your prescribing medical provider? I suggest that you write down your symptoms and the time and date you experience them. Then, when you do see your medical provider you will have that information to help them figure out what to do next.

Which medication are you currently taking?

I think anxiety is very prevalent in our society, so many things going on in our lives and world, it comes as no surprise. The biggest challenge to me is finding the right medication to help me cope and I don’t feel that I’m alone, we have very good medications today that can help you deal with anxiety but I haven’t found it yet, this is the problem because anxiety doesn’t take a break and life goes on making things much harder to cope with.

@mlpbob In answer to your question I am prescribed duloxetine (generic Cymbalta).

I tried Cymbalta but it was awful on my stomach. It was def helping with my anxiety. Glad it works for you!

I actually tried the name brand Ativan but I didn’t notice any difference, I’ve been on a generic one for years however I was given a brand a while back and I had a very bad experience from it, I reported it to the pharmacy and they said that I’ve used the brand before, I’m not sure what happened and why I reacted to it so now I’m on the same generic brand again. This experience has always worried me because it could potentially happen again and then I will have to try something else.

I have dealt with stressful work for most of my life. One antidepressant after another. Three years ago I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica, a truly crippling disease. I was on daily Prednisone and then, to keep in remission, methotrexate, all of which led to F3 liver damage. I changed my diet, lost 35 pounds and weaned off Cymbalta, rosvystatin, hydrochlorothiazide, Lisinopril and januvia as blood pressure, diabetes and blood pressure normalized on new diet. My liver was able to regenerate and is now considered normal. But now the anxiety attacks and gut issues are exhausting . In February I had emergency surgery for adhesions strangling my bowel. I'm 74 now and the unexpected onset of medical events seems to have totally knocked my brain/gut connection off balance. I constantly fear a new attack and have had three abdominal CT workups since April. I have a gastroenterologist who has performed many tests and is at a loss other than the possibility of long Covid. I had Covid last September, despite 7 vaccines/boosters and now have a blown sinus from it. I too find childhood and earlier life memories coming back for obsession. What is that about?! I do yoga three times a week, gut issues allowing. I breathe, I meditate, I read. Hoping my gerontologist referral to Mayo is fruitful. I never planned on spending "the golden years" in full blown gut/anxiety mode.

@trishwrite1 You have really been through it all. It's great that your liver regenerated and you were able to lose weight and stop medications. I also hope that your referral to Mayo Clinic results in care and appointments. After all the hard work you put in to your own health and wellness I can see why you are frustrated.

When was your referral sent to Mayo Clinic? Do you want to call and check on the status of your referral?

My gastro only told me she was making the referral last week. Not sure how long it will take her office to get it together! I would appreciate a contact to use in another week or two if I don't hear anything. Thanks!