Health anxiety, general unwell feeling

Posted by noendinsight @noendinsight, Jul 8 9:33am

Hi all, 47m
Just needed to vent and let it out.
I've been dealing with panic and anxiety for over 20 years. For the most part it's been somewhat under control with medication and some therapy. I don't do so well with therapy unless is just talking and letting it out like I'm doing now. My anxiety is focused on my heart and having heart attacks(never had one). I've had my ups and downs with it and currently I'm on a down swing. I also have pvcs that were pretty much under control but last summer after a mild bout with covid I noticed they started getting worse. My primary switched me from atenolol to metoprolol ER. Didn't feel much relief. At the same time I had a new psychiatrist and she started weaning me off of a benzo I've been taking for a few years because "it's not good long term" and their office doesn't prescribe them long term. She prescribed me gabapentin instead which did absolutely nothing. Fast forward to April/May, I was starting to feel burned out and didn't pay much attention but my anxiety was creeping up on me. I started to get panic attacks while driving to work, fatigue and general malaise. I also noticed I was having stomach issues and loss of appetite. My anxiety and depression was getting worse and I told my psychiatrist so she added buspirone to the mix. That seemed to help ever so slightly for a little bit but I was calling out sick from work because I couldn't get out of bed in the morning. I've lost a little over 20 pounds since May. Eventually psychiatrist took me off of paxil and buspirone and switched me over to Lexapro. I found another psychiatrist that doesn't have a problem prescribing benzos as long as it doesn't go over a certain dose and I'm fine with that. I don't abuse drugs and I always follow the doctor's direction. I'm 3 weeks into Lexapro and I feel slightly better. I still have anxiety and fatigue but not as bad. I've been to the cardiologist and had a 7 day monitor and it did show pvcs but not enough for concern. I also had an echo of my heart and that was ok. Im still concerned with my heart, I still get anxious and restless about my heart. I'm constantly checking my pulse ox and doing research on my symptoms. I'm just to the point where I don't know what to do. I feel desperate for some relief. I keep feeling my pvcs and have all kinds sensations and feelings. Anyway, sorry for the long rant.

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noendinsight | @noendinsight | Jul 14 1:47pm

In reply to @carolinlv "I truly hope everything works out for you and sooner rather than later! It’s wonderful just..." + (show)

❤️

noendinsight | @noendinsight | Jul 14 2:05pm

In reply to @carolinlv "I have been taking generic Xanax .5 mg for 5+ years and generic Halcion for sleep..." + (show)

I'm glad you have the medication that helps you. Those are very low doses. My doctor said he doesn't believe long term use of low doses should cause any major issues.

carolinlv | @carolinlv | Jul 14 2:35pm

In reply to @noendinsight "I'm glad you have the medication that helps you. Those are very low doses. My doctor..." + (show)

I’m concerned the Xanax is no longer doing the trick and I need to up the dosage. I don’t really want to do that but again, my daughter is asking how I want to live my life…Staying at home and being almost agoraphobic or actually able to do things. This is so debilitating in so many ways.

noendinsight | @noendinsight | Jul 14 2:55pm

Ahh, I see. You may have to raise the dosage or try a different benzo. You might have become tolerant to that dosage. There's lots of different options.

carolinlv | @carolinlv | Jul 14 3:36pm

In reply to @noendinsight "Ahh, I see. You may have to raise the dosage or try a different benzo. You..." + (show)

Exactly what I’m thinking. I plan on talking to my doctor about it next month. I don’t know why the thought of pushing the dosage up bothers me so much. I’m not a pill abuser either, but the thought of getting deeper into something that requires withdrawal bothers me. It really shouldn’t.🤷‍♀️

skullbasecancer4 | @skullbasecancer4 | Jul 14 3:38pm

In reply to @carolinlv "I’m concerned the Xanax is no longer doing the trick and I need to up the..." + (show)

I totally understand. It’s so debilitating . How much have you been taking ?

skullbasecancer4 | @skullbasecancer4 | Jul 14 3:39pm

In reply to @carolinlv "Exactly what I’m thinking. I plan on talking to my doctor about it next month. I..." + (show)

I have the same concerns too, I have to be able to function .

carolinlv | @carolinlv | Jul 14 3:49pm

In reply to @skullbasecancer4 "I have the same concerns too, I have to be able to function ." + (show)

I would be able to function with a .5 mg increase. My thoughts go more to how much harder it will be to stop taking it (Which I hope is an option at some point!) when the time comes. I honestly don’t think that much would matter though. Another Doctor question.

noendinsight | @noendinsight | Jul 14 4:04pm

In reply to @carolinlv "I would be able to function with a .5 mg increase. My thoughts go more to..." + (show)

Well you could try a .25 increase and see how that goes. There is an extended release version that might help keep the levels steady throughout the day. Xanax doesn't last too long in the body

dani349 | @dani349 | Jul 19 5:50pm

In reply to @noendinsight "Thanks for the reply. I did have an iron panel done. It was normal. I have..." + (show)

@noendinsight Prayers and hugs to you ! Have you had you vit d levels checked ? Try sitting in the sun for a few minutes or going for a walk ! Hope you find the issue so you a feel better !!

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