New to Forum and to GAD

[pasta15]

Hello, everyone. I'm newly diagnosed with GAD, although I've been living with it for most of my 45 years. For anyone interested, here's a little of my story.

Anxiety has been a big part of life since I was 5; my childhood was pretty miserable, even though I did very well in school. I remember a lot of violent fights between my parents. I was always described as 'nervous' by others, but did not think of myself that way.

Following some major life changes over the last 4 years (career change, moving to another part of the country, new relationship), I was diagnosed with diabetes and began treatment. I have been very careful with the diabetes; A1C and daily readings all good, blood pressure 120/80. In spite of this, the anxiety remained.

A terrible cold set in a month ago, with all the usual symptoms. I thought I was recovering (finally) two weeks ago, when I woke up in the middle of the night with shaking, chills, fear of a heart attack, nausea, thirst, and the memory of a bad nightmare. My first thought was that I was hypoglycemic, but sugar was good. After an hour and a half, my body relaxed enough for me to sleep.

That was the first of many similar attacks since. I eventually decided I needed to see the doctor. He was not my usual MD, whom I never really liked much. He listened to my list of symptoms, examined me, ordered some tests, and talked to me about GAD and panic attacks. I've started Lexapro (he also prescribed Xanax, but I really can't work with it) and am hopeful when I am not overwhelmed by the fear.

Anyway, all that is to say that I didn't know about GAD before my own experience, and that I am happy to find a place online to hang out. I have spoken about this only to my girlfriend, who has been very understanding; I don't think I'll bring this up at work.

Thanks for being here.

[Warbirdwf]

Welcome! I'm fairly new here too. Everyone is real nice and helpful in sharing their experiences. I too have GAD and looking back over my life (I'm in my 40's) I remember anxiety symptoms off and on during my youth too. I had an 'episode' of anxiety for a few months when I was in my 20's. It was pretty tough, I didn't take meds or do therapy and it went away.

I'm in the middle of my second 'episode'. This one is being really stubborn as I've had some real tough days/weeks over the last 5 months.
You didn't say if you're getting any therapy for your anxiety or not. They say the quicker you can get your symptoms under control, the easier it will be to get over it. The fear aspect of it increases in my opinion as the days/weeks/months pass w/out getting better. I wished I'd put more effort to learn about this condition and was more consistent in getting therapy at the begining of this most recent bout. I would probably be over this bout or be at the end of the tunnel. Anyway.....if I was you, I'd try and learn as much as you can about this condition, review different options to get over it and hopefully, your 'episode' will be a short.

[pasta15]

Well, therapy is probably the next step. I have an appointment wirg the doctor on Tuesday, so we'll see what happens.

I'm having an issue with the Xanax prescribed for me; it lowers my edginess but also makes it tougher to do my work. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Warbirdwf]

How long have you been on Xanax? What dose and how many times a day do you take it? Why does it make doing your work tougher? I posted my experiences with Xanax under the med section here. I was on Xanax for approx 4-5 months. I fired my Psychiatrist and hired a new one when I was still suffering some significant anxiety despite being on Xanax and some other anti-depressants. The new Psychiatrist was horrified that I had taken Xanax that long. He said in all likely hood, I was getting significant "rebound" anxiety from the Xanax due to its short life in the body. He said I might need to check into a detox center to get of it!! Pretty damn scary. What happens is, after as little as 6 hours w/out a dose, you can start having withdrawal symptoms from the drug.  Long story short, he weaned me off of it to try and minimize the withdrawals. I've been off it now for 2 weeks but did have some withdrawals too.

If I was you, I'd google Xanax withdrawals. Several doctors I've seen told me of the HORRORS of this drug and how addictive it is. I think there's a place for Xanax. What I've read is it should be used "as needed" when you have a panic attack or to lower you anxiety if it really high. The problem is, many doctors prescribe Xanax and tell you to take up to 3-4 pills as needed. My doctor did. I've learned in the past 5 months to do my research with any drug a doctor/psychiatrist prescribes. Another good resource is to take to your phamacist about your meds before taking them.

Seriously, google Xanax and learn all you can about the drug. Also, discuss this w/your doctor too. Depending on the severity of you anxiety, you might consider an anti-depressant that's treats anxiety. I did and am trying a new one now (Paxil). I need to lower my anxiety so I can function better while getting therapy. Once my anxiety goes away, I'll then make a decision if I want to continue to take Paxil.

[WiSp]

Welcome

Xanax is not a good idea I think, in any ways because of its too short life. It is also easier to get addicted to it than other benzos. You should try something else like ativan. This one will cover you all the day instead of several hours, and it doesn't work the same way on the liver as xanax. You may have less problems with it. Talk about it with your doctor.

SSRIs can help much too, I can't believe you never tried something like that. You probably tried I guess. It killed my anxiety and bad thoughts with time, until I completely forget about this stuff. Therapies are better when you are not too deep in anxiety. For example if you can't even concentrate on anything, you will be barely able to concentrate on a therapy too. You need to have a minimum level of peace. A psychologist said this to me and I know it's true. That's where meds can help. And if you start a therapy while being so deep in anxiety, it will maybe not work and you will remember it like that: "this stuff doesn't work for me" when it's not really the truth. But well if you are able to go to work, your anxiety level is surely acceptable for a therapy. I wish you success.