Is there anyone suffering from anxiety and finds it difficult to cope?

Hello @bostonbonnie and @catmor

The physical and emotional changes that occur after a stroke are certainly not uncommon. I found this article from WebMD that explains the many types of emotional difficulties that can come about as a result of a stroke.
https://www.webmd.com/stroke/after-stroke-emotions
As you read the article from WebMD you will see that these emotional changes are due, in part, because of the changes in the brain as a result of the stroke. Colleen Young, @colleenyoung, offered some great ideas on how to deal with anxiety and depression in her post above.

The article from WebMD also mentions stroke support groups. I would encourage you to look for a group in your area. Most communities offer stroke support groups to help stroke survivors deal with the physical and emotional changes that can occur. As you meet with others who are experiencing similar changes, you will sense a camaraderie and learn coping skills from each other.

Often hospitals will provide such groups as well as the Senior Center in your community. Your doctor's office may also help you find a good support group.

Will you consider this as an option?

@catmor, I know you are scared. You want to feel better again. Rather than thinking about the future, can you focus on now?

How are you feeling right now? What can you do to feel better today, right now?
It can be something really simple, like petting a cat, making yourself a cup of tea, going for a walk, taking a shower.

Lexapro worked for me for 12 years and then I went to propranolol. We are all different and need to find what works for you right now.
Anxiety can ruin your life so work with your therapist and get help right now.

Thanks I am now 8 days on Venlor and alzam on dat 2. I was on Venlor for 23 years then Dr took me off and put me on Brintellix and Fluanxol was ok for 6 months then took away Fluanxol and put me on trazedone that did not do so they put me on epitec anxiety got worse went to another Dr who knows me well and he suggested we go back on Venlor cause I did best on that am currently 8 days on Venlor together with alzam but still have anxiety

I just want to feel normal again scared that that will not happen how to cope

You can keep this under control.

I have found learning to breathe correctly has done more for me than medications. Not saying you should not take medications - just that concentrating on your breathing goes a long way toward feeling normal.

Thanks

Hello, I also have dealt with depression and anxiety nearly all my life. I was first given an MAO inhibitor and valium which worked well until I had a hypertensive crisis then I had an injection of something that my pcp knew nothing about because he was on vacation when this all happened. I was hospitalized and misdiagnosed as a drug addict and given a complete series of ECTs.
I am now on Zoloft and lorazepam which is working well, but my doctor wants me off of the lorazepam. I also have swallowing problems, and if I am startled by anything while eating my swallowing stops and I am very close to choking. Lorazepam helps with this and I am very worried what will happen when I no longer can get this medication. I am 78 years old and don't feel I have to go through this now, especially when everything is working so well. Maybe I'm ready for the boneyard?

Here’s something weird. The medication that really helped my anxiety was Lithium. After being on 450mg per day for about a week, my anxiety went way down. I was able to stop it and kept the anxiety under control for about 5 years. You never know.

@sudsy I too have a swallowing problem and at difficult times I find I am able to swallow (even large pills- with water of course) better with my head down. It is a tick my friend was taught by a nurse, and Inhave adopted it. It works for me too. Even hard to swallow food goes down u h easier when I swallow with my head down.