Stumbled onto your site a bit ago... finally decided to introduce myself...

[BusuB]

Been dealing w/ physical symptoms of anxiety for about 7 weeks now... just started a course of buspar and trazadone about 3 weeks ago... just hoping and praying that this will all end soon.  Seemed to do okay on the buspar till 2 days ago when I had a job interview.  I did great on the interview but since then I've been having a relapse period of anxiety leading to this morning when I had my first panic attack since 10/17, leaving me w/ all sorts of intruding thoughts (never gonna get better, always gonna fall back, etc...).  Anyway, below is a time line of the onset of my symptoms up until my first dose of Buspar on 10/12. Sharing for sake of sharing I suppose.  Feedback is nice and therapeutic for me... anyway, hope to slay the beast soon and wish the best of luck to the rest of you on your recoveries.  Just saying hi!

Timeline:

Thursday: 9/10/09
-   First noticed breathing was difficult (shortness of/unsatisfying breath and yawn).  No congestion, and dry, unproductive cough.

Wed-Thur: 9/16-9/17
-   Ears began to plug up chronically.

Fri: 9/18/09
-   Went to urgent care clinic to check on chest.  No other symptoms were present outside of ear stuffiness.  Was sent home w/ a Rx of Albuterol  and told to take an expectorant for mucous.
-   Was told to return the following week if the symptoms persisted.

Mon-Thu: 9/21-9/24
-   Thick mucus production after eating develops.  So thick, had to spit out several times after eating.  Stringy consistency. Belching after meals , food particles/acid/bile coming up throughout afternoon after lunch.  Dry mouth developed.
-   Realized shortness of breath feeling worse after meals and laying down.

Fri: 9/25/09
-   Returned to urgent care for follow up.  Ear and Chest problems still persistent.  Was given Nasonex, no help.  Chest x-ray was okay.  No word heard back by X-ray technician.

Mon: 9/28/09
-   Scheduled physical with GP.   Was given Ranitidine for reflux.

Tue-Fri: 9/29-10/2
-   Slight feelings of panic/anxiety develop due to inconclusiveness of physician’s visit and worry about what it could be and how long it would affect me.  Still sleeping and eating well.   Stuffy ears resolved itself.  Developed ball in throat.  Constant throat clearing and clear mucus is expelled rarely.  Mostly dry.

Sat: 10/3/09
-   Attempted to eat dinner when food felt lodged in my throat.  Had to be forced down by chewing long periods of time and liquids.  Continued food burps.

Sun: 10/4/09
-   Eating significantly curtailed.  Tried Pepcid AC to see if it was more effective against the food burps.  Throat burned all morning after that and took Gaviscon to bring down the burn.  Really started to worry at that point.  Took Ranitidine to hold me over.

Mon: 10/5/09
-   Panicked, called GP who saw me same day.  Gave Rx for Prilosec.


Tue: 10/6/09
-   Did not sleep well the previous evening.  Unable to fall asleep until 1am, awoke at 430am.
-   To the lab for blood work.  Was given Rx for .5mg Xanax by GP due to my insomnia.

Wed: 10/7/09
-   Woke up panicked at about 345am.  Entire body was tense and I was trembling all over.  Wife unable to calm me down.  Only way to calm down was to pace around.
-   Met Pulmonologist.  Stated lungs seemed fine.  Oximeter testing was good and noted nothing wrong upon physical examination.

Thu: 10/8/09
-   No trouble falling asleep at 10pm the night before w/ Xanax.  Did wake up at 1am and 3am.  Stayed up after 2nd wake up.
-   Follow-up w/ GP.  Lab work was okay (blood sugar, cholesterol and thyroid).
-   During that evening, developed numbness/tingling sensation on left hand.

Fri: 10/9/09
-   Awoke at 2am, 4am and 7am (on Xanax).  Noted that I was depressed throughout the morning.  Felt very helpless and upset with intermittent crying.
-   Took the day off of work. Noticed thick mucus after eating lessening.
-   Contacted GP who agreed to see me right away.  Was told to continue w/ the Xanax. Oximeter testing still adequate.  Although on the low end, PEF test within normal range.

Sat: 10/10/09
-   Used a sleep aid the night prior instead of Xanax due to the previous depression.  Seemed to sleep better overall.  Ran for 20 (2/3rds of my normal work out per GP) minutes at the YMCA to take off the edge.  Initially felt better but tension and anxiety continued to build through the morning.  Developed metallic taste in back of throat, intermittent.
-   As the morning progressed I found myself unable to sit still and tensing.  Tried breathing, meditating, reading, positive thinking, etc without success.  Unsure what else to do, went to ER as the anxiety felt like it was getting out of control.
-   ER doc provided lorazepam, which seemed helpful until the evening.  First dose was at 115pm, took evening dose at 930pm just prior to bed.  Unable to shake feeling in legs that they needed to be moved.  Got out of bed at 1030 and paced downstairs so that I could try to sleep later.  Unable to sleep entire night.  Called Stevens ER at 330am to ask if I could take the sleep aid I had used the previous night.  Was told it was okay as it was 6 hours since my last dose of lorazepam.  Took sleep aid, but still unable to sleep.

Sun: 10/11/09
-   Finally fell asleep at about 9am (coincidentally when I decided to give up and began to watch the NFL game previews).  Woke up at 1130am.  Took first lorazepam at that time.  Overall more pleasant this date than the previous dates.  Still recurrent feelings of tension but not intense as the days before. 
-   Although I continue to be fatigued, unable to sleep.

Mon: 10/12/09
- ENT appt.  Scoped down my throat.  No indication of anything that would cause my SOB.  Said everything looked "beautiful"


Symptoms:
-   Chest tightness:  Able to get full breath although it is unsatisfying.  Yawns are also unsatisfying.  Find myself taking unnecessarily deep breaths to feel satisfied.  Strength of feeling is dependent on time of day (usually better in morning), if I recently ate, when I smell particular scents, etc.  Seems to taper a little after a good cry.  Strength of sensation also seems dependent on how tight throat feels.  On Xanax and lorazepam, the feeling is reduced but still there.
-   Ear Fullness: Left as quick as it came.  Constant ear popping.  Off and on issue.
-   Jaw/Teeth Pain:  Wife tells me I am clenching and grinding in my sleep.  Likely anxiety related.
-   Ball in throat: Always there, though strength of feeling is dependent on emotional state.  At times it makes it very difficult to swallow food, other times it’s not an issue.  Throat was sore for 2 days but has since receded.
-   Dry/Unproductive Cough: Done to clear my throat.  Mucus rarely comes out and when it does, it is usually very limited, thin, and clear.  On few occasions, yellow/brown mucus will be produced in limited quantities and it’s usually days apart.
-   Dry Mouth: Thick, stringy/foamy saliva.  Salivary glands under tongue under produce.  Suppose it’s a side-effect to Prilosec and my own anxiety.
-   Post nasal drip: not a significant amount.
-   Chest Pain: Very dull and inconsistent.  Not always felt.  Usually it is either on the left side of my chest, near the center or just to the right.  No consistency whatsoever, and never sore enough for major concern.
-   Tingling in pinky and ring finger, left hand.
-   Metallic taste in mouth:  Comes and goes.  Not noticed until 10/10.
-   Reduced appetite:  Still able to eat, though I tire of eating or experience fullness well before the amount it would normally be.
-   Weight loss: ~10 lbs. within a 2 week period.

Anxiety Feelings
-   Anxiousness: unless medicated, it is constant.  The feeling of worry sits in the pit of my stomach 24/7 since 10/4.
-   Insomnia: since 10/5/09.  Either difficulty getting to sleep or difficulty remaining asleep.  While medication seems to help to a certain extent, not enough for a full night’s sleep (Benzo’s usually helping me fall asleep, wear off and I wake up earlier than intended). 
-   Fatigue (related to insomnia):  Only able to sleep on 10/11/09 because of sheer exhaustion.
-   Uncontrollable muscle tension:  Whole body will go tight and rigid.
-   Constant fidgeting and unable to remain still:  Legs will shake when it is particularly bad.  It is within my control, though it is extremely uncomfortable to resist.  Happens most often at bed time and early morning.
-   Moments of uncontrollable emotion:  Will cry at random times, 2-5 times a day.
-   No Sexual Drive

Like I said since then, I started to take Buspar (up to 20 mg/day) and Trazadone (50 mg/day at bedtime).  My appetite improved, anxiety regressed a bit and I slept better (though still suffered from early morning awakenings) until Thursday when the anxiety started to go back into force.  Had trouble sleeping last night and woke up after a 4 hours from a particularly nasty nightmare.  Had a panic attack this morning after my work out.  Ugh... can't wait to start feeling normal again.

[BusuB]

The weird thing was, this all started during what I considered the best part of my life.  I was well within my career of choice and promoting rapidly, I just married the woman I've loved for the last 6 years and I just finished my master's degree.  I spent the summer traveling, attending weddings (in addition to my own) and really just having fun.  Then all of a sudden, WHAM! Hits me right on my forehead.  Psychiatrist thinks that I've had the anxiety for a while, but I was focused on so many things - finishing up my thesis, wedding planning, etc. - I didn't notice it until things started to slow down.  At first I felt that was impossible, but I'm slowly recognizing the probability of it all.  A couple of sessions in I've realized how much of a worry wart I've always been and that growing up I had had awful stomach aches, always in the morning, that I can now attribute to some level of anxiety triggered by an ER visit when I was seven.  I guess that's life.

[FeelingOptimistic]

Hi Busu,

Welcome!

Isn't it amazing once you can identify what it is that is plaguing you that you can look back over your life and recognize anxiety even as a child?  I have memories of things I did as a child and can attribute it to my anxiety. (I also have panic and some depression.)  I find that I will often have panic attacks AFTER  a particularly stressful time.  I guess it's my body's way of ridding itself of all the pent up stress.  I still have alot to learn but have done well with reading, a counselor, CBT, and (finally) meds.  Things CAN and WILL get better.

I'm sure you will find being here comforting and informative.

See you around the boards!
Feeling Optimistic

[Chelsea fan]

Hi new to this site spent ages trying to learn how to post,hope this is correct.

[lrnkmbrly]

Even when things seem to be going right in your life; a panic attack can sneak up on you. Some people have strictly triggered attacks, while many others have more of a random attack. I have a mixture of both, if I find myself feeling stressed (which i become very easily) I'm very likely to become anxious. But their have been nights where nothing at all is wrong and then BAM! 'May I introduce the monster that consumes my life!'. I'd like to suggest seeing a therapist of sorts. In my opinion doctors tend to be more physical then mental. And it might help you to learn more about these experiences and well as some methods to help calm yourself down. Also through talking and finding what you need from a medication, a proper one could be prescribed.
Personally, I'm taking celexa and it seems to be helping. I also have a script for xanax, however I've only taken it about 3 times for a plane ride that I was uneasy about. There are plenty of options out there to help you; but the most important is support, understanding, and being able to learn what you need from yourself, and others when you feel anxiety coming on.

lauren kimberly

[tigerpaw]

I know you will find lots of support here. 

Also you can post your favorite picture in the Members Gallery.

Check out an introductory post on, "When you think no one understands ....read this."........Link: http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php/topic,9100.0.html

Lots to do here~ 

 

[Scary Thoughts]

Hello im new on here and i dont know if anyone is reading my message!!

[ColleenA.]

I'm new here, too.  Can't take the anxiety/depression anymore so I decided to reach out for help.  I'm on medication for it but it seems to be getting worse, not better.  I can't eat because I feel like I'm going to choke on it, so I'm sure that's not helping either.  I just want to be normal again.   

[artistic1]

I stumbled upon this site today and am soooooo hoping to find people who understand what i am going through, people I can connect with-because, one thing is for sure, you cant fully understand it unless you have experienced it!

[haas2005]

Hello...I am so glad that I found this site.   I have been suffering from depression and anxiety for about a year now.  I really have no one to talk to about this.  I hope to make friends here that understand me. 

[rfbel]

Hi there everyone.. Im from brazil so dont mind my orthografich errors.. So ive been suffering from anxiety and depression since the beginning of my life.. I didnt have many friendships as a young kid and teenager, but when i got to the 1st grade at school i experieced a major increase in anxiety symptoms along the 6 months first i just got a scared but faced the food court of my school.. but then i couldnt speak with anyone and didnt leave my classroom even in break time.. then it all pass when i moved to another school but it cachted me up again two years ago when i was 18 (20 now) and it got worst.. sometimes i can get out of bed for days.. a lot of strange thoughts come into my head.. i feel a very strong lightheadness and im becoming addicted to medication (xanax and klonopim), i have my good days actually i have a girlfriend and she is actually making me pass trought the worst fases.. but what i really want as all of you is to get completly rid of this hell desease.. and here in my country the recovery aprouches arent as good as i can find in US or EN so i just wanted to put it out my chest maybe some of you guys can help me trought it.. thank you for your attencion and good luck for us all in our recovery

[maclover]

Hello,
I'm new to this site and wanted to see if I could find anyone who's struggling with similar issues as me. I hope I'm posting in the right location but in case I'm not, please feel free to say so.
Back in November of 2010 I had a panic attack at work. I'm anxious and a worrier by nature but this attack took me by absolute surprise.
It all started because I believe I had my first skipped heartbeat (and became aware of it) and that spawned a full fledged panic attack, including a trip to the ER.
Ever since that day, I've been on edge, have suffered from palpitations and constantly await new panic attacks (and many have made an appearance in my life since that day). I'm constantly focusing on my heart, which tends to skip beats and sends everything racing, my hands become clammy, I become almost disconnected from myself and unable to relate to things the way I used to prior to my first attack. Every time my heart starts to skip erratically, I have this sinking feeling and think the worst. Even if I'm doing something I enjoy doing, I never seem to be fully there. I'm always stuck on the inside...noticing every little change.

I had a cardiac ultra sound in February and a stress test and everything checks out. My potassium level is very slightly below normal but for the last 3 weeks I've been on prescription potassium as well as 250mg of magnesium every day. On Monday I'm going to be wearing a 24 hour monitor so the doctor can have accurate information.

Has anyone else dealt with palpitations and skipped heart beats that can creep up out of nowhere? Especially linked to anxiety?

Thank you all so much.

[sixpack]

Hello,
I'm new to this site and wanted to see if I could find anyone who's struggling with similar issues as me. I hope I'm posting in the right location but in case I'm not, please feel free to say so.
Back in November of 2010 I had a panic attack at work. I'm anxious and a worrier by nature but this attack took me by absolute surprise.
It all started because I believe I had my first skipped heartbeat (and became aware of it) and that spawned a full fledged panic attack, including a trip to the ER.
Ever since that day, I've been on edge, have suffered from palpitations and constantly await new panic attacks (and many have made an appearance in my life since that day). I'm constantly focusing on my heart, which tends to skip beats and sends everything racing, my hands become clammy, I become almost disconnected from myself and unable to relate to things the way I used to prior to my first attack. Every time my heart starts to skip erratically, I have this sinking feeling and think the worst. Even if I'm doing something I enjoy doing, I never seem to be fully there. I'm always stuck on the inside...noticing every little change.

I had a cardiac ultra sound in February and a stress test and everything checks out. My potassium level is very slightly below normal but for the last 3 weeks I've been on prescription potassium as well as 250mg of magnesium every day. On Monday I'm going to be wearing a 24 hour monitor so the doctor can have accurate information.

Has anyone else dealt with palpitations and skipped heart beats that can creep up out of nowhere? Especially linked to anxiety?

Thank you all so much.

Hey mac

it is a pleasure to meet you.  and I"m glad you have found us.

My suggestion is to perhaps start your own "introductory thread".  You can do this by simply (on the front page of the introduction section) click on "new topic"..  As it is now, you have it in an older thread of another person's intro thread.  This is apt to make your introduction lost in the shuffle.    You can do this rather easily and quickly by just copying this post of yours and starting your own.  Only difference is youll get to title your own thread   

on another note it seems like you have a case of hypochondria or health anxiety.  I suggest you have a look at that section of our forum.  I"m sure you will find a lot of folks with similar symptoms.  That, in and of itself, is helpful.

[toswald1028]

i am also dealing with the rapid heart beat thing, i too was at the er and they did an ekg and said that there was a slight abnormality and came back with the same conclusion after blood work , that i was slightly low on potassium.
my anxiety is over sleeping or being able to fall asleep, so usually the anxiety sits in my stomach all day ( kinda better with meds) and then at nite about an hour before i TRY to go to sleep i will start obsessing over my heart and being able to feel it and if its faster then normal and if i sit or lay down on my left side i can feel it beat. I am starting to realize that its all part of the panic, and found some deep breathing , meditation or yoga help. because those things force your body to relax and your body (so i have been told) cannot be relaxed and tense at the same time.
i am kinda getting used to the heart thing and am starting not to let it freak me out when it happens and tell my self its all part of the anxiety and panic and i just try and go on with my nite , sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt but no one is perfect

[redheadgmrgrl]

Hi everyone!
Ive been here before and never posted before so here it goes.

All the posts ive read so far is everyone wanting to be "normal" again and trust me i know we all do and wish it were that simple. :) but it takes work and alot of effort im not saying im Better then anyone here by any means. We are all here because we all struggle in our ways with one thing or another.

I cant wait to get to know everyone and watch as we all grow and better ourselves.

Cheers to us all working together and us improving our lives !

:)

RHGG

[Deebert]

Guys, Sorry about the random post but I cant figure out how to introduce myself on this.
Can Anyone please help? Im registered and all, I just cant find how to do it.
When I click on the 'Introduce myself' section, it brings me through to a list on introductions but I cant find how to do it myself :)

Thanks x

[Belladonna22]

Hi all,

Im doing the same thing...new on here and want to see if i can get some help or advise.... dont really want to impede on anyones post.... but dont want to open a new on myself....

maybe we can all just introduce away (Deebert and redhead.... if its wrong we would be directed to another page im sure).

Ok where to start.
I know there are a lot of people struggling a lot worse than I am. but i am getting worried that my anxiety and paranoia is starting to get out of hand. I go through phases of severe worry and stress and loneliness that makes me feel like i am going to die (i know thats a bit dramatic, but at the time the feeling is so intense I dont know how to explain it). I have  never ending thoughts of self doubt and trying to figure out what someone doesnt like me, or what Ive done wrong or trying to figure out what friends wont return calls, consistently let me down, why my family has their favourites and let me feel like the outsider and make me feel like any niggle, and problem its my fault. Im dramatic, im a bitch, blah blah blah. I have been trying to deal with the worry and troubles with self inadequacy since i was a teen but never really got a handle on it. At work Im confident and know what Im doing, how to handle it, have all the answers. But as soon as it comes to me outside of work i read into every little thing that does or doesnt happen, over think the why and why nots of people. Try to work out what I did wrong for things to happen or be said. Rethink what i have done and said and then try to fix it.

How can i kerb this. Its  killing me! my poor finance has to deal with me in my distraught moments where I can not be consoled and is a never ending support. I am lucky to have him, but its hard as he is so confident and relaxed and nothing worries him so feel like i cant talk too openly about it. Any advise how i can get this under control. Its starting to eat me.