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Advice please, would be so much appreciated

Posted , 8 users are following.

suzie20
suzie20

Hi, I have suffered from anxiety, panic attacks and depression for about 20 years now, but my symptoms seem to be getting worse, especially the dizzin ess.  I am seeing a phschiatrist AGAIN.  I have been on seroxat since the start, but also tried other meds in between.  He adviced me yet again to try venlafaxine and put me straight on them stopping seroxat one day then on 150mg venlafaxine the next.  They just made my anxiety so much more, unbearable, then he tried amitriptyline, didn't work.  Know all meds cause side effects, but thes were horrendous, had tried venlafaxine before.  He has now put m back on seroxat, which does nothing for my anxiety and because of the dizziness i feel as if I am getting more agrophobic, before could manage to go swimming or go to town, but no more.  I know everyone is different, and he says I have a very complex nervous system!!  I go and he just hands me out tablets.  I take 30 mg of valium a day and have done for 20 years, when they gave them out like sweeties.  They don't seem to have the same affect of calming me whatsoever, tried propananol also.  Are there any meds that people find can not cure anxiety but help me to at least try to lead some kind of a "normalish life".  I have to ask my daughter to come everywhere with me, which is so unfair on her as she works nights and gets up especially to come to appointments with me.  I have to see physch next week.  Have heard lorazepam have more of an affect of calming than diazepam.  I am not asking much just to be able to visit a friend.  I use a walking stick as when the dizziness sets in I freeze.  I have been told by a consultant that I suffer from low blood pressure but when had a home kit from drs. it was normal, but with that one you had to rest before taking it, so my dr. thinks I am o.k. !!  sorry to rant, but would really love some help and advice.  Thank you in advance.  Also had counselling, CBT the lot. x

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • joan152
    joan152 suzie20

    Posted

    Hi,

    I am in the same boat as you,been on clonazipam for about 20 years 0.5 mg at night always been able to carry on as normal.Then 3 years ago n August was away for weekend in Hotel got a raging headache and that was it went on nothing to shift it so imagined all sorts .Since then have had Health Anxiety cannot take anything so sensitive tried propranolol had CBT now have a phsychiatric Doctor comes once a week very nice while here soon as she has gone back to square one.Like you cannot go ut because of the shaking a Husband has to do the shopping only go to my Sons in the car.So not much help but just to say you are not alone, and don't let the guilt of your Daughter helping you have a illness like anything else and cannot help it not out of choice.1 in 3 suffer depression and anxiety I know it's the stigma attached to it but we will get there.Will always answer you if I can.

    Let us know how it goes. 

    • ray18269
      ray18269 joan152

      Posted

      Hello Joan,

      You are not alone, Joan, that is for sure.  I have been taking Ativan (Lorazepam) since the 1990's.  I am prescribed 1 tablet daily, and this seems at least to be helping me for a very long time.  That would be only 1 mg daily, usually at bed time.  I have taken as high as 6 mg per day, but that put me in zombie land, along with amytriptolyne.  Didn't have a care in the world on the two.  Both mellowed me out quite a bit, then I stopped amytriptolyne, and went on Paxil plus the Ativan.

      The Ativan works nicely for me, giving me added sleep at night, whether I desire to go to sleep or not.  One mg does take the anxiety edge off the following day, until something drastic hits me square in the face, then I will have to take the second dose to calm the nerves.  I've never taken the other medicine you're on, so cannot comment.

      My son has the same kind of nervous system that you spoke of, requiring heavy doses of medication, to get him through all of his aches, pains, and nervous system problems.

      I believe the mellow feeling I receive from Ativan is just right for me, taking the edge off the anxiety I feel.

      Have no complaints with Ativan.  I would not recommend, however, to take amitrytolyne and Ativan, as this gives one more than enough to calm any nervous problem.

      Wish you well, Joan.

  • Elisabeth35372
    Elisabeth35372 suzie20

    Posted

    I'm in the same boat.  Suzie and Joan you are not alone.  I experienced a major health crisis (stroke mimic) three years ago and cannot get well (have seen over a dozen doctors and health practitioners with no results).  Continual panic attacks started at that time, too.  I lost 50 pounds because of all the panic and adrenaline charging through my body.  I've had many, many awful symptoms of whatever is wrong with me.  My brain is really screwed up; I cannot think straight.  Then vertigo started three weeks ago (raging--the world was swirling).  I couldn't get out of bed or move my head for two days.  And, I'm still dizzy.  I cannot drive, read, watch TV much, go anywhere, even getting around the house is hard.  I also depend on my son.  The doctor diagnosed it as Vestibular Neuronitis, which is an inflammation of the inner ear nerve.  She prescribed Meclizine.  Unfortunately, I had an extremely major migraine reaction to it and cannot take it.  (Although, I have a friend who said it saved her life!)  I don't want to give advice, but it is OTC.  So you might want to check with your pharmacist for advice.  It's used for motion sickness.  I'm being treated for histamine intolerance, which can cause many of the symptoms that are mentioned on this site, including panic attacks and dizziness.  Histamine causes a build-up of inflammation.  If you Google it, you can see if you have any other symptoms.  All of this came on for me during the beginning of menopause.  Just wondering how old you two are???  Anyway, I found some Motion Sickness pressure point wristbands in my bathroom drawer.  I'm not sure why I got them years ago, but I've been wearing them, and they do seem to help a little.  All the best to both of you.  It does help to know that we're not alone--but we still want this all to just go away.  SCRAM!!!  
    • joan152
      joan152 Elisabeth35372

      Posted

      Hi,Elisabeth

      thankyou for replying,sorry to hear your not to good,I have a different ache every day today is the headache,I have had the menopause a long while ago ,all the GP wants to do is give me Anti Depressants which I am so sensitive to,so there is no let up.

      yes it helps to know we are not alone.

       

  • papote53
    papote53 suzie20

    Posted

    Hi,

    My anxiety started 3 1/2 months ago and the light headed 24/7 and short of breath on a daily basis nearly 3 months ago. I was first given Alprozalam 0.5mg (xanax) whcih did take awa the light headed but for a very short time (4 hours) and also helped with the shortness of breath.   But the doctor notice it was running out on me and in order not to increase xanax he changed to Lorezapam 1mg 4 times daily.  Yes, from 1/2 xanax to 4MG Lorezapam ( I know 0.5 xanax is equal to 1MG Lorazapam)  but 4MG?   No way Jose, so he acepted I take it 2-3 daily if it worked for me.  Well, now I'm drowsy 24/7 if I take 1MG at once, but it did appear to work a little when I first took 1/2 pill. Now with my sinus acting on me I'm totally nuts with the shortness of breath but if you ask me Xanax is just the best for light headed or diziness.  Now, if you have low blood pressure that could be the reason. ;-(  I'm also doing biofeedback which my Doc recomended I do deep brething every 2-3 hours and I'm also doing on my own some Yoga for anxiety.  They both appear to work a little but I guess time will tell.

  • landy10
    landy10 suzie20

    Posted

    hi suzie sorry to hear u not feely great i suffer from very bad panic attacks ive tried every meds but notin worked but then someone told me to try accupunture and reflexology and for the past 2 and a half weeks ive been panic free im seeing the accupunturist every 2 weeks now and feel great a small few headaches but nothing major try it and c how u get it on
  • alex.buckanan
    alex.buckanan suzie20

    Posted

    Hi guys,

    I got all the symptoms as almost everyone here. But listen, a month ago I found this nice dietary supplement called Daosin. It makes you feeling better and you can eat what ever you want, so you don't have to think about it. You just have to take it right before you eat.

    You can read for more information. All I can say is, I really can recommend it! There are no side effects nothing!

    Hope I can help some of you!

  • London_ridge
    London_ridge suzie20

    Posted

    Hi Suzie,

    Try another benzo, maybe a longer acting one like klonapin, or Ativan. If you take the same nenzo for years it's sure to give out sooner or later . I hope you get better soon .

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