1. < Depression & Anxiety

Anxiety and Depression

Posted by Lost @kill9874, Aug 14, 2017

I suffer from anxiety and depression. I'm on effexor er and seroquel. My mind is racing all the time and I constantly worry about everything. My mom has terminal cancer, so that doesn't help either. A lot of times I pretend to be happy, but I'm really not. I drive my mom to OSU for her cancer treatment when she has them. Since I do this, people feel like I shouldn't be on disability. They just don't understand what I go through. The only time I can sleep is when I take serquill . This makes me sleep, otherwise I cannot sleep at all. Any comments would be appreciated.

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

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 14, 2017
In reply to @magspierce "@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your..." + (show)
@magspierce

@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your day goes well and you can start feeling better soon. I saw where you wanted to talk about depression, sarcoidosis, anxiety, panic attack, and being lonely without a companion. Well, I think I could talk about any and all those topics. I deal with depression, on a daily basis, it's pretty much a constant for me to work on it even on my better days. Because I know if I'm not working on myself, even if it's just reminding myself to be affirmative to myself. Always working on my self-esteem and self-worth, because if I don't I know that it won't take much to sink lower each time it comes up and I don't deal with it. Sarcoidosis: I was diagnosed with it in 1987, I am thankful to know that I do not have anything active at this time. But through the years, when I feel an episode coming on it is usually when I'm feeling stressed, so it is important for me to continue to try and stay away from things I know will stress me out. It has affected different areas of my body and I am continually needing to deal with them. I try to stay as active as I can and involved with friends and family and volunteering, trying to help others, and that helps me feel useful and that I can contribute to my community. Anxiety & panic attacks: I find myself having to deal with anxiety pretty often, and this goes along with what I said above. For me, my physical health and mental health is connected in every way. When I feel panic and very anxious, I use my mindful exercises. Try to ground myself in my surroundings. By that I mean to stop for a little bit and be very aware of everything, even the sounds around me. I have learned to take deep breaths in through my nose, count to five, hold for five, and release through my mouth slowly, counting to five.
Well, let's see, that brings me to feeling lonely at times without a companion. I do feel lonely at times, I think we all do at different times. All the things I've listed above help me with that too. I also have a dog who is very comforting, take her for walks, and we usually run in to people, some I know and some I don't, but they are always commenting on my dog that she is cute, very good and things like that. I do a lot of writing, I enjoy writing poetry and that helps too. I do hope things start settling down for you and you begin to feel better soon. I am so happy for these groups that we can come together and share our experiences and ask questions and help each other. I wish you well and I hope something I said may help you to at least know that you are not alone! We are all going through something in our lives, and even if it's not the same things the feelings are very similar.

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@mckenzie

I'm so glad to get your post! As much as possible, Keep Moving!

Teresa

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Sep 14, 2017
In reply to @maryliz "Hi @ McKenzie, What would you like to talk about? Mary" + (show)
@maryliz

Hi @ McKenzie, What would you like to talk about? Mary

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Hi. @mckenzie

I know how hard it is to be alone, especially when you don't feel well. I've been there.

Joining this group is one positive step you've made to reach out. The people here are good people, kind and understanding, and ready to walk alongside you.

Would you like to tell us more about the depression and anxiety you're experiencing? If you're comfortable doing so, you might want to write about why you're depressed, and if there's something specific that's causing anxiety right now. We don't want you to go through this tough time alone.

Jim

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 1, 2017

Hi, everyone. Fall has started, and that means less yard and garden work. That's a good thing in some ways. We're enjoying the peaches and pears from our small orchard. I'm still picking crookneck squash and tomatoes. All of those things are so much more tasty than store bought. Yesterday, I moved all of the tender patio plants to the cellar, under grow lights. We have flowers all winter from the geraniums.

The bad thing for me is that I don't get outside nearly as much during the winter, and that has an effect on guess what! Depression and anxiety is the right answer. For me, it's not so much the season as it is the drop in my activity level. Is any of that true for you?

I'm wondering how you're doing, @mckenzie, @kill9874 , @glenda1 , @anniegk and @magspierce . It's been a little while since we all connected.

Jim

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Dec 29, 2017

Anxiety and depression are my constant companions-may as well embrace them as after all of these years they are not going a way.

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1 reply
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Dec 29, 2017
In reply to @parus "Anxiety and depression are my constant companions-may as well embrace them as after all of these..." + (show)
@parus

Anxiety and depression are my constant companions-may as well embrace them as after all of these years they are not going a way.

Jump to this post

@parus

I follow you. I rate my day on a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being the best day of my life. 4 is suicidal. I was down to 2 in '06, and it took more than five years to get up to 5, and I thought I'd never see 6, but I did in late '15. I saw it as my new 10, and enjoyed it for a year or so. After several months at a 4, I've made it back to 5, and I seem to be stuck there. I'd like to be up to 7, but I don't know if I'll ever get there. I'm adjusting to being between 5 and 6. I could probably survive at this level, and that wouldn't be a bad thing. Being married, I make an effort every day not to impose my depression on my wife. I know that it's been hard for her to live with a depressed husband since '04. She does acknowledge that I'm better than I was, but she thinks that I should have figured it out by now (her words). As you say, we might as well accept where we are, and not feel guilty. I'm not sure I can say I embrace it, though. I don't like the feeling of being depressed, and I'd be lying if I said it's ok. But, like it or not, it is what it is. We have to carry on as best we can. Having things like music, art, pets and other things really help us.

Jim

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Dec 30, 2017

@jimhd I cannot say I enjoy depression. As you mentioned, "it is what it is". I live alone and can muster up a smile when around others, be funny, enjoy myself and forget the depression for a while. Keeping busy in the past kept me from noticing. Looking back (not for long) I was depressed from a young age and did not know thus. One of those kids that was passive and shy, made fun of as all kids are at some point in life. I see how children can be so cruel and I hurt for the ones being picked on by other kids or even adults that are verbally abusive. I grew up with a verbally abusive mother and when I became an adult I made the choice to not be one who yelled and screamed, denigrated others. I know many people like this who continue doing so because it works for them. It gets them what they want and the cycle continues. I see it working for children and I find it disturbing.
Well, this has nothing to do with depression. I don't want others knowing I struggle with depression as it is nothing to be pleased about and don't use the depression as a means of getting attention-I really do not like being the focus of attention. I know others with depression and they wear it outwardly wanting others to feel sorry for them. I see them use the depression as a tool [weapon] to get their way. They use depression to control others if this makes sense. The last thing I want is for others I know to see the depression. It is mine to carry and even in this world I do have happiness that is genuine. It takes little to give me happiness and having a lot of possessions does not work for me. I miss having a dog, but being able to walk it and care for it properly...not an excuse, reality and it is okay.

REPLY
cdcc | @cdcc | Jan 1, 2018
In reply to @magspierce "@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your..." + (show)
@magspierce

@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your day goes well and you can start feeling better soon. I saw where you wanted to talk about depression, sarcoidosis, anxiety, panic attack, and being lonely without a companion. Well, I think I could talk about any and all those topics. I deal with depression, on a daily basis, it's pretty much a constant for me to work on it even on my better days. Because I know if I'm not working on myself, even if it's just reminding myself to be affirmative to myself. Always working on my self-esteem and self-worth, because if I don't I know that it won't take much to sink lower each time it comes up and I don't deal with it. Sarcoidosis: I was diagnosed with it in 1987, I am thankful to know that I do not have anything active at this time. But through the years, when I feel an episode coming on it is usually when I'm feeling stressed, so it is important for me to continue to try and stay away from things I know will stress me out. It has affected different areas of my body and I am continually needing to deal with them. I try to stay as active as I can and involved with friends and family and volunteering, trying to help others, and that helps me feel useful and that I can contribute to my community. Anxiety & panic attacks: I find myself having to deal with anxiety pretty often, and this goes along with what I said above. For me, my physical health and mental health is connected in every way. When I feel panic and very anxious, I use my mindful exercises. Try to ground myself in my surroundings. By that I mean to stop for a little bit and be very aware of everything, even the sounds around me. I have learned to take deep breaths in through my nose, count to five, hold for five, and release through my mouth slowly, counting to five.
Well, let's see, that brings me to feeling lonely at times without a companion. I do feel lonely at times, I think we all do at different times. All the things I've listed above help me with that too. I also have a dog who is very comforting, take her for walks, and we usually run in to people, some I know and some I don't, but they are always commenting on my dog that she is cute, very good and things like that. I do a lot of writing, I enjoy writing poetry and that helps too. I do hope things start settling down for you and you begin to feel better soon. I am so happy for these groups that we can come together and share our experiences and ask questions and help each other. I wish you well and I hope something I said may help you to at least know that you are not alone! We are all going through something in our lives, and even if it's not the same things the feelings are very similar.

Jump to this post

Interesting, I’ve been suffering severely with anxiety, depression and panic attacks for 3 months now, all related to coming off Lyrica, which I am down to only 50 mg per day now. I awake in the morning with shear terror, get up come downstairs and hang on to the kitchen sick with fry heaving and nausea. I take an 0.5 mg of Ativan and it usually kicks in with in a half hour. Ativan is only temporary. I’m exhausted, weak lod5 25 lbs in three months, food makes me nauseous I can’t even look at it. I have to force myself to even try to put something in my mouth. I have an appointment Jan 16 with a psychiatrist hoping she can help me be myself again. I’ve always been outgoing neve4 afraid of anything. I feel so bad for my family, I don’t want to cook or do anything. Ask my husband yesterday to go by me a gun bear cause now I know wh6 people commit Suicide!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 1, 2018
In reply to @magspierce "@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your..." + (show)
@magspierce

@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your day goes well and you can start feeling better soon. I saw where you wanted to talk about depression, sarcoidosis, anxiety, panic attack, and being lonely without a companion. Well, I think I could talk about any and all those topics. I deal with depression, on a daily basis, it's pretty much a constant for me to work on it even on my better days. Because I know if I'm not working on myself, even if it's just reminding myself to be affirmative to myself. Always working on my self-esteem and self-worth, because if I don't I know that it won't take much to sink lower each time it comes up and I don't deal with it. Sarcoidosis: I was diagnosed with it in 1987, I am thankful to know that I do not have anything active at this time. But through the years, when I feel an episode coming on it is usually when I'm feeling stressed, so it is important for me to continue to try and stay away from things I know will stress me out. It has affected different areas of my body and I am continually needing to deal with them. I try to stay as active as I can and involved with friends and family and volunteering, trying to help others, and that helps me feel useful and that I can contribute to my community. Anxiety & panic attacks: I find myself having to deal with anxiety pretty often, and this goes along with what I said above. For me, my physical health and mental health is connected in every way. When I feel panic and very anxious, I use my mindful exercises. Try to ground myself in my surroundings. By that I mean to stop for a little bit and be very aware of everything, even the sounds around me. I have learned to take deep breaths in through my nose, count to five, hold for five, and release through my mouth slowly, counting to five.
Well, let's see, that brings me to feeling lonely at times without a companion. I do feel lonely at times, I think we all do at different times. All the things I've listed above help me with that too. I also have a dog who is very comforting, take her for walks, and we usually run in to people, some I know and some I don't, but they are always commenting on my dog that she is cute, very good and things like that. I do a lot of writing, I enjoy writing poetry and that helps too. I do hope things start settling down for you and you begin to feel better soon. I am so happy for these groups that we can come together and share our experiences and ask questions and help each other. I wish you well and I hope something I said may help you to at least know that you are not alone! We are all going through something in our lives, and even if it's not the same things the feelings are very similar.

Jump to this post

Hi @cdcc, you are not alone. There are several people here on Connect who have had similar experiences. I'd like to bring @jimhd into this discussion. May I ask what you were taking Lyrica for and why you've decided to taper off of it? Is it possible that you are tapering too quickly? Have you talking to your doctor about your panic attacks and suicide thoughts?

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Parus | @parus | Jan 2, 2018

This topic sums things up in 2 words that I prefer to not have in my life. If wishes were horses beggars would ride.

REPLY
cdcc | @cdcc | Jan 2, 2018
In reply to @magspierce "@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your..." + (show)
@magspierce

@mckenzie, I'm sorry things are not going well for you right now. I do hope your day goes well and you can start feeling better soon. I saw where you wanted to talk about depression, sarcoidosis, anxiety, panic attack, and being lonely without a companion. Well, I think I could talk about any and all those topics. I deal with depression, on a daily basis, it's pretty much a constant for me to work on it even on my better days. Because I know if I'm not working on myself, even if it's just reminding myself to be affirmative to myself. Always working on my self-esteem and self-worth, because if I don't I know that it won't take much to sink lower each time it comes up and I don't deal with it. Sarcoidosis: I was diagnosed with it in 1987, I am thankful to know that I do not have anything active at this time. But through the years, when I feel an episode coming on it is usually when I'm feeling stressed, so it is important for me to continue to try and stay away from things I know will stress me out. It has affected different areas of my body and I am continually needing to deal with them. I try to stay as active as I can and involved with friends and family and volunteering, trying to help others, and that helps me feel useful and that I can contribute to my community. Anxiety & panic attacks: I find myself having to deal with anxiety pretty often, and this goes along with what I said above. For me, my physical health and mental health is connected in every way. When I feel panic and very anxious, I use my mindful exercises. Try to ground myself in my surroundings. By that I mean to stop for a little bit and be very aware of everything, even the sounds around me. I have learned to take deep breaths in through my nose, count to five, hold for five, and release through my mouth slowly, counting to five.
Well, let's see, that brings me to feeling lonely at times without a companion. I do feel lonely at times, I think we all do at different times. All the things I've listed above help me with that too. I also have a dog who is very comforting, take her for walks, and we usually run in to people, some I know and some I don't, but they are always commenting on my dog that she is cute, very good and things like that. I do a lot of writing, I enjoy writing poetry and that helps too. I do hope things start settling down for you and you begin to feel better soon. I am so happy for these groups that we can come together and share our experiences and ask questions and help each other. I wish you well and I hope something I said may help you to at least know that you are not alone! We are all going through something in our lives, and even if it's not the same things the feelings are very similar.

Jump to this post

Hi Colleen
I was on Lyrica 300mg daily for trigeminal nerve shingles severe case that I had to use doctors at Johns Hopkins. They gave me Lyrica for the severe itch on the side of my nose right eye, forehead to the crown of my head which is still persistent. I decided to go off Lyrica because I began loosing my teeth which is one of the minimal side effects they found in their clinical studies. Being that it is minimal they do not put it in their contraindications. My tapering off of it was precise from Pfizer and potion control. But since taking it for four years the tapering schedule wasn’t long enough for me. I am still taking 50mg daily which I am to taper to half capsule daily, I have not tried this yet as I still feel so out of it. My doctor has me on 0.5 mg Ativan daily but only for short term use. When I awake in the morning I am so nauseated and dry heaving you would think I have morning sickness which I don’t . I usually try not to take the Ativan for awhile but it usually doesn’t work and I get really bad off. I’ve lost 23 lbs since Oct and I am tiny to begin with. All thecwuthdrawl symptoms I’m having are the same symptoms this friggin drug can cause when first taking it. I do have an appt with a psychiatrist Jan 16, I have no idea what else to do except get a lawyer and sue them for what this has done to me. Someone needs to pay. I feel like I’m never going to be myself again

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