Many seizures, extreme anxiety

Posted by crsty40 @crstyday40, Mar 26, 2019

So almost 2 weeks ago I picked up my script Amitryptiline which i take for sleep. Last saw it on the couch, before my son got home from school i think I hid it somewhere and dont remember where I put it. The reason I hid it (i think) is my husband was gonna come by and pick me to go to the store and my son (hes 13) and his friend were going to be here and i didnt want them to see it just laying on couch. So i havent taken it in almost 2 weeks and i also have epilepsy and take Briviact, Onfi, Lyrica, Buspar(anxiety) and medical cannibas for epilepsy. I have been having many seizures..complex partials, extreme anxiety, racing thoughts, alot about dying whether its me, or my husband, my sons, my chihuahua, my mom...somebody close to me and it just wont stop!! My heart feels like its going to jump out of my chest, its just a roller coaster of ups and downs all day all night long. I dont work because of my uncontrolled seizures and im home all day by myself. Ive torn my house apart looking for that med. My memory is awful from having brain surgery, seizures, the meds im on doesnt help at all im sure. Ive talked to my neuro about it to see if theres anything she can do for me or have any suggestions and...nothing! I cant get it refilled until April 2nd. Im trying to get through this until then but I dont know how much longer I can do this..has this happened to anybody else? The buspar doesnt do anything the medical cannabis does absolutely nothing for my seizures anxiety..im so scared!!!! Thank you in advance for letting me ramble on. Please help!!!

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@lisalucier

Hi, @cindyvag - from what I know about experiences post-ICU, it's not unusual to have some emotional effects like the fear of flying you are describing, and it's very real (see https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/pics/newsfeed-post/breaking-it-down-what-exactly-is-post-intensive-care-syndrome/).

That will be a great help to have a husband who is so supportive. I know when I am anxious having my husband support me and there to talk things through with me makes a world of difference.

I also agree that your question about how you control the "funnel" and not worry about everything that gets said or over think things is an important one, and hoping other members here will have some input on this topic.

I know that @crstyday40, the original poster in this discussion, talked about extreme anxiety she was experiencing, along with symptoms of epilepsy. Do you by chance also have epilepsy or a seizure disorder?

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Thank you lisa

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@cindyvag

How do you control the "funnel", im asking as i would love to learn what i worry about and not worry for everything that gets said or over think things. We are flying for 2 hours next weekend and i find i am so anxious and i think its because i just came out of icu a week and a bit ago and i am so scared now to even go away for a relaxing weekend with my hubby cos of the flying.

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@cindyvag - how did things go with the flying you were anticipating?

@valm and @crstyday40 - how are you doing?

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This week's member spotlight is for one of our most active members @jakedduck1. He's always willing to offer his support and share some laughs.

Transforming stigma to acceptance: Meet @jakedduck1
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/transforming-stigma-to-acceptance-meet-jakedduck1/

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@lisalucier

@cindyvag - how did things go with the flying you were anticipating?

@valm and @crstyday40 - how are you doing?

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Hi @lisalucier my anxiety is better, i think but still been having seizures everyday! I thought the new cbd oil I have was helping but unfortunately its not so much anymore :/ when I have a seizure it does me in for the rest of the day! Cant remember anything and just dont feel "normal" always feeling "off" about everything. Its hard to explain!! My VNS has been hurting my neck area when it comes on. I want to just get it turned off when i go to my next appointment, since its not doing anything! Thank you for asking!!

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Lisa I am so sorry to hear how you are feeling and with the seizures. I know how frustrating it can be not having answers. Something that gave and gives me a Boast is a CBD Oil Massage. If you can find someone in your area that does them it is wel worth the $$.
Please keep us posted on your next appt.
Thanks and Many Blessings.
Sundance(RB)

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@lisalucier

@cindyvag - how did things go with the flying you were anticipating?

@valm and @crstyday40 - how are you doing?

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Hi Lisa, sorry for the late reply.. for some reason these emails were going to my “junk”. I”m doing well considering. My memory issues remain, and I’m still exhausted most of the time, however I’m still seizure free and that’s awesome. It seems that the rituxan is causing my allergy symptoms to really stand out and be resistant to meds. Went to an allergist/immunologist and did a bunch of allergy testing and will be starting my shots in the near future. My neurologist wasn’t quite sure if it would help (I have chronic sinus infections), but the allergist believes it will, so it’s worth a shot for me to try and get that off my list and stop all the allergy meds in the future. Finally went on a longer rockhounding trip (missed last year due to my encephalitis). Drove all the way up and all the way back and that in itself felt awesome! Prior to that I flew home (Hawaii) and was there for a month to help with my mom who ended up passing. My wife and sister were really scared about me flying alone, but I made it. United airlines app was wonderful with directions to gates, etc. Both trips were milestones for me as I wouldn’t have been able to do them last year. So I’m one happy girl!

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Hello! I am sorry you’re feeling all that without some intervention. I encourage you to consider your local crisis response system who will come to see you at your home and discuss the issue with you to help you reduce anxiety. If you need to, you can go to any Emergency Department and tell them about your high anxiety and they will have you seen by a doctor and a social worker to help address the anxiety. I am not sure but in the hospital they may be able to offer something to reduce the anxiety and then help you with coping skills and a referral to see a counselor if you are not now seeing someone.

I am a therapist in a clinic and treat people with high anxiety and panic attacks successfully by working with them to understand the power of their mind and how your thoughts, (positive or negative) create certain emotions for us that lead to certain behaviors. Changing your negative thoughts to positive ones, will start a new cycle of reduced anxiety and calm and you will be able to cope much better!! In the end, you may get so good with it that you may not feel the medication is needed. 😊 I see patients daily with these symptoms and they improve rapidly. I also teach my patients to use Tai Chi for mind and body wellness and you can find this by going to You Tube and typing in Tai Chi Don Fiore. This Master will take you step by step for 8 minutes and will help you use this intervention to calm your mind and strengthen your body and mind.

Please consider what I suggest so that you can take control of your racing thoughts and put things in a rational and orderly manner. Most of these negative thoughts are “Thinking Errors” and once you know what to do you will feel the difference!! I know you can do this!!!

My best to you—God Bless!

Leticia

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@leticia11

Hello! I am sorry you’re feeling all that without some intervention. I encourage you to consider your local crisis response system who will come to see you at your home and discuss the issue with you to help you reduce anxiety. If you need to, you can go to any Emergency Department and tell them about your high anxiety and they will have you seen by a doctor and a social worker to help address the anxiety. I am not sure but in the hospital they may be able to offer something to reduce the anxiety and then help you with coping skills and a referral to see a counselor if you are not now seeing someone.

I am a therapist in a clinic and treat people with high anxiety and panic attacks successfully by working with them to understand the power of their mind and how your thoughts, (positive or negative) create certain emotions for us that lead to certain behaviors. Changing your negative thoughts to positive ones, will start a new cycle of reduced anxiety and calm and you will be able to cope much better!! In the end, you may get so good with it that you may not feel the medication is needed. 😊 I see patients daily with these symptoms and they improve rapidly. I also teach my patients to use Tai Chi for mind and body wellness and you can find this by going to You Tube and typing in Tai Chi Don Fiore. This Master will take you step by step for 8 minutes and will help you use this intervention to calm your mind and strengthen your body and mind.

Please consider what I suggest so that you can take control of your racing thoughts and put things in a rational and orderly manner. Most of these negative thoughts are “Thinking Errors” and once you know what to do you will feel the difference!! I know you can do this!!!

My best to you—God Bless!

Leticia

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Thanks, @leticia11, for your input on dealing with anxiety. Will you share more about the concept of "thinking errors?" Would you say that is usually brooding on something, thinking overly negatively about a certain topic?

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@leticia11

Hello! I am sorry you’re feeling all that without some intervention. I encourage you to consider your local crisis response system who will come to see you at your home and discuss the issue with you to help you reduce anxiety. If you need to, you can go to any Emergency Department and tell them about your high anxiety and they will have you seen by a doctor and a social worker to help address the anxiety. I am not sure but in the hospital they may be able to offer something to reduce the anxiety and then help you with coping skills and a referral to see a counselor if you are not now seeing someone.

I am a therapist in a clinic and treat people with high anxiety and panic attacks successfully by working with them to understand the power of their mind and how your thoughts, (positive or negative) create certain emotions for us that lead to certain behaviors. Changing your negative thoughts to positive ones, will start a new cycle of reduced anxiety and calm and you will be able to cope much better!! In the end, you may get so good with it that you may not feel the medication is needed. 😊 I see patients daily with these symptoms and they improve rapidly. I also teach my patients to use Tai Chi for mind and body wellness and you can find this by going to You Tube and typing in Tai Chi Don Fiore. This Master will take you step by step for 8 minutes and will help you use this intervention to calm your mind and strengthen your body and mind.

Please consider what I suggest so that you can take control of your racing thoughts and put things in a rational and orderly manner. Most of these negative thoughts are “Thinking Errors” and once you know what to do you will feel the difference!! I know you can do this!!!

My best to you—God Bless!

Leticia

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As a former "anxiety and depression patient" for three years I very much appreciated Leticia's advice. I was treated with ativan, which helped but I hated the side effects and it took six months to titrate myself off, CBT with a kind psychologist which helped, in part due to her empathy and gentle approach, exercise (a recumbent three wheeler trike) and finally short periods (5 to 10 minutes) of mindfull meditation. I learned mindfullness by reading on line articles and books which probably was not as efficient as going to a class might have been. I have now been basically anxiety and depression free for over a year and when I do feel mildly anxious it is related to events that merit mild anxiety. We all are different and have our own idiosyncrasies but in general exercise and mindfullness will at least be helpful.

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@marazion

As a former "anxiety and depression patient" for three years I very much appreciated Leticia's advice. I was treated with ativan, which helped but I hated the side effects and it took six months to titrate myself off, CBT with a kind psychologist which helped, in part due to her empathy and gentle approach, exercise (a recumbent three wheeler trike) and finally short periods (5 to 10 minutes) of mindfull meditation. I learned mindfullness by reading on line articles and books which probably was not as efficient as going to a class might have been. I have now been basically anxiety and depression free for over a year and when I do feel mildly anxious it is related to events that merit mild anxiety. We all are different and have our own idiosyncrasies but in general exercise and mindfullness will at least be helpful.

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Hi, @marazion - wondering if your exercise and mindfulness practices are still helping you with controlling anxiety? What do you do or think about during your mindful meditation periods?

@crstyday40 - wondering how things are going seizure-wise and also anxiety-wise?

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