Anxiety needing some advice

Posted by jt5369 @jt5369, Aug 2, 2019

Hi there I’m 37 and recently within the last 4 months started having anxiety and panic attacks. Fast forward to now and it’s been quite the whirlwind of tests and test. 6 er visits, 6 ekgs, stress test, 2 ct slabs of abdominal, ultra sounds or legs and arms, ct of head, hida scan, egd and colonoscopy, and countless bloodwork. Crazy to think stress /anxiety can make you think something is wrong. They put me on antidepressants, only to find out my body cannot handle majority of them and only causes me side effects. So now I take Xanax and Lamictal. I just started the Lamictal 25mg last night and woke up wide awake at 4 am. I’m not sure what is going on but any kind of input, guidance or and advice would be greatly appreciated

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elwooodsdad | @elwooodsdad | Aug 3, 2019

You have been thoroughly vetted physiologically, and it appears that nothing presented from those procedures. I am not familiar with Lamictal, but Xanax has been part of my anxiety treatment. I am now taking Klonopin, and have for over 25 years, and it works for me. I might add that I have been and am on an antidepressant as well for the last 35 or so years. In addition to pharmaceutical assistance, talk therapy could help. Are you depending on your primary care physician, or have you also seen a board certified psychiatrist? You’ve had a substantial physical work up, perhaps a psychological assessment is a logical next step if not already done. Anxiety is difficult, but is a manageable problem. Stick with it. These are tough times socially and politically. Anxiety is a byproduct. Thank you for having the courage to stand up to it and to reach out. This is a good, safe place.

Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Aug 3, 2019

My thoughts are with You! I have been on Antidepresants for over 30 years. That was when there such few choices. I remember the trama I went through! I have changed only once since then. I don't know whether it comes with age or what but I have learned in most cases to read and listen to my body. I know when to step off the Merry-go-round. There is always a cave or Special place you can slip into!
This last year with what I have gone through I have no choice but to jump off for a bit. Working in some small town in the middle of nowhere I have found a park or a golf course to pull in, park under a tree and chill out for an hour!
To bad that it has taken me 30 years to understand it.
Never Give Up! You are strong and someday you will look back and remember.
Peace!
Sundance(RB)

susan2018 | @susan2018 | Aug 6, 2019

I would echo the suggestion of another to access help from a psychological eval if you haven’t already. You’ve been through a lot in these past months. I wouldn’t rule out that there is a medication that might be suitable for you, four months is too short a time for you to have tried all the various classes of antidepressants etc that might help. Some side effects fade giving it some time, others come on with time. But don’t give up on that possibility. Six ER visits in 4 months is enough stress to raise anyone’s level of anxiety. Having someone to talk to about what all has happened might help bring you back down and give you some peace of mind.