What is your anxiety like?

I think someone mentioned medication side effects--you didn't mention any meds, but I know that many anti-anxiety meds cause huge side-effects in me. I absolutely cannot take drugs like Lexipro--they cause extreme hallucinations and scary nightmares. I know the meds I take for transplant anti-rejection cause brain fog. If you do take any medications, you might talk with your doctor about side-effects. The best anxiety relief I have experienced is regular yoga classes. The relaxation, breathing and meditation have helped me to feel more relaxed that ever in my life. Best wishes.

I also have dealt with Anxiety most of my life. My doctor put me on Lorazapam. I kept asking him "am I going to get addicted" and he said that " if you don"t
have to take more and more to get it to do the same thing you are not addicted. Well it happened after 38 years!! Now at 70 I am trying to get off it.
When I got anxiety over the years I had different physical feelings go along with it. I have had sore stomachs, tension headaches, and brain fog. My thinking was wonky, and I had a terrified feeling. I think I was scared to get scared again. "fight or flight". Apparently when trying to get off Benzos You go through things that you took it for in the first place. Now I get a dizzy feeling in my head;. it is like I am wearing someone elses reading glasses. I don't have that feeling in my head when I am sitting or lying down ;only when I am standing or walking? I wonder if that could be withdrawal.I am on Effexor and it is helping with everything but the dizziness. I have had it since August 2019. Sady

Hello, @sady - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing what your body experiences when you have anxiety.

I'd like to introduce you to @trellg132 @mostlybill @gingerw @artscaping @stsopoci and others in this discussion on what your anxiety is like.

If you are interested in talking with others more about tapering off lorazepam specifically, you might check out and participate in this thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-of-lorazepam-ativan

When you experienced the physical sensations like sore stomach or brain fog, what did you do to counteract the symptoms? Did you find anything that helped you?

Hi @mattkl817 - I have read of your anxiety issues and the replies of others with similar issues. I would like to suggest another path of assistance. I know the peace of God that I have. You can have it too. If you have a Bible look up these verses. No, I will write them out here. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him shall not die but have everlasting life." Knowing God brings peace. Another scripture, Jesus said in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives." (He brings peace that passes understanding.) " Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." Paul, a follower of God, in the New Testament offers a blessing from God in Romans 1:7b "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Another scripture in Romans 14:33 says "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." There are many other verses of peace.

I am 88 years old. I have had my share of difficulties in this world, as we all do. When I am concerned about something, I talk to God (pray) and He gives me peace. (I do not worry, that helps no one.) I sincerely hope this brings comfort to you. Em1954

Hi @em1954, I see that this is your first post on Mayo Clinic Connect. Thus I offer a gentle reminder that Connect is an inclusive and welcoming community where members can share health experiences. While some members may find comfort and healing in prayer and religion, it is important to note that some may not or may hold different faith beliefs. Thus our Community Guidelines state https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
“Remain respectful at all times.
- Exercise tolerance and respect toward other participants whose views may differ from your own. Disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must.
- Be inclusive. Not everyone shares the same religious or political beliefs. Don't impose your beliefs on others.”

Em, do you also live with depression and/or anxiety?

Hi there I've just read your blog, it's refreshing to know iam not alone I've suffered from panic attacks for years, some times not able to face the world around us, i understand brain fog too living with fibromyalgia and arthritis pain levels never seen to balance, especially with the winter weather, it's hard for those around us to understand, after rotten summer having just lost my dearest precious little sister too and dear precious friends. I've found ginger root helps with immflomation , ( body swollen inside can be very painful) on top of eyes dry it sounds like you might need to return to consult your medical care team , know turmeric and ginger root with lemon have been help and keep looking for natural resources to help, hope this helps and finds you some comfort , I've found pray helps too.
Kind regards swift

@lisalucier Thank you for tagging me in this conversation. While I haven't ever taken any medications for anxiety, I have experienced many of the things that people have talked about. For @sady I wonder if you have gone back to your doctor, to let them know about your symptoms now, and get a full physical checkup, before you try to taper off any medications. It has to be scary now and make you want to just stay in bed, I bet! Does taking deep breaths help your anxiety, or moving your thinking to something more pleasant? i find that helps me out. When my stomach starts getting upset from anxiety, I have some plain water [here it runs cold right out of the faucet all year!] and I think rehydrating seems to help me. I hope your will let us know how you are doing today.
Ginger

@swift Hi I have had fibromyalgia for longer then I want to remember. There,s no cause or cure that Dr,s know of so we have to find things that help us. I have a fibro toolbox of things. Ice is great inflammatory fighter use it when you feel swollen in some area . Hot water helps get the blood flowing which is healing it last for awhile. Those are the 2 main item I use . Rest ,say NO when you feel its to much., I use a TEN,S unit for tight muscles this relaxes them. A massage is great . Heating pad is a must . Hope some of this will help .

The doctor at the time told me if I had diabetes, the lorazapam would be my insulin! I took Lorazapam for 38 years and it worked for the physical and mental symptoms. Now it doesn't work as good, but as I taper off; It is still helping. a little. I do my deep breathing that my therapist taught me. I go out and feed and pet my horse, I read and do paint by numbers.I have a wonderful and understanding husband, two golden retrievers, and three cats.They say that those with fur are wonderful therapists.Thanks to all that gave me advice on this forum.

@colleenyoung Thank you.