I can't cope with my generalized anxiety disorder

Oh geez - I've been there. I've tried basically every drug out there. Have you tried Lorazepam? A few friends have been on that & its helped when other's haven't. I'm on Tramadol right now, but on a really bad day or I just need a little extra help & want to fall asleep I take a Lora before bed since it makes me sleepy. I started Tramadol about 5 years ago. I'm not sure if you're in the UK or not (I'm in the USA) but from when I've read from others its easier to get in the UK; here its considered a narcotic. Its mainly used for pain, but also for anxiety, restless leg, and with some anti-depressants.

Also, I'm assuming by your username you're female - no idea but what also helped me was getting the Mirena IUD since its a steady stream of hormones (I was a whack job during that time before!). Have you tried talking to a therapist/psychologist?

I saw a mental health nurse yesterday and they want to try a medication called pregabelin brand name lyrica, my gp won't give me anymore diazepam but there the only thing that helps, is lorazepam the se kind of thing? How did you cope with the body tremors and horrible thoughts going through your head? Yes I am a 24 yr old female and I'm finding each day so tough to get through, it starts from as soon as I wake up in the morning and these body tremors are awful, I had it before and turnt to alcohol which made me end up in hospital and I can't drink again, only low alcohol drinks, I feel so depressed and just want help x

I haven't been diagnosed with GAD, but I am a sufferer of chronic depression, verging on clinical. I suffer anxiety and panic attacks when not on medication.

I have tried lots of different doses of citalopram, started on 20mg, went to 40mg then up to 60mg. I was stable on 60mg, then the GP took me off it as they are now not allowed to prescribe 60mg! I went down to 40mg and struggled. I then went onto 30mg of amitriptyline along side my 40mg of citalopram. This worked really well. Due to personal reasons my depression got slightly better and I decided to come down to 20mg citalopram, continuing my 30mg of amitriptyline. I find these two work excellent together for me, no anxiety or panic attacks for nearly a year now. Hope this helps!

Mine is more anxiety than depression, but I get the suicidal thoughts which causes me more anxiety and it's like that every day, I had an appointment at a mental health clinic last Monday and the letter has only been faxed an hour ago to my gp surgery, I don't think theses professionals understand how this illness can really affect us, they might try me on a drug called pregabalin, and I've read up on forums about it online and it sounds like a miracle drug, I've had diazepam and that really helped calm me down, but I'm really fed up of feeling shaky, feeling sick, agitated, palpitations, it's awful and is getting me so down! How did you cope xx

Sorry for the delay in reply.

It sounds like you're having a pretty bad time of it Hun

I had two counsellors at once, I was put on reduced hours at work and my employer and my manager were extremely supportive. I've been diagnosed with depression for 4 years now. In the first 6-12 months until the tablets started working properly I was scared to drive my car as I thought I'd purposely find a bridge, then it would worry me and I'd have panic attacks and anxiety attacks.

Any mental health issue is a daunting thing, recently I've been trying to stay calm and not let things stress me out, doubled with my meds I've been stable.

Have you got people around you who understand what you're going through? Even if it's only one friend who understands it can be really helpful. Xxxx

Yes I have my aunt and uncle that live 3 doors away from me and I have my fiancé but men don't really understand how to deal with it, when I suffered with this 3 years ago, I started drinking to stop the shaking and just to calm me down, but the drinking spiralled out of control as my mum passed away suddenly then I moved with my dad to get out of London and I and my dad got admitted into hospital and he passed away but they saved me, and my aunt and uncle are like my mum and dad now, I have those thoughts when I'm driving and it petrifies me, and also when I take my tablets in the morning I panick because I think "what if I take them all" and I just want these awful thoughts to stop!

How did you overcome your negative thoughts, the GP wouldn't prescribe me the pregabelin as it's not licensed for anxiety so I've got to stop the anti depressants I'm on and start this new one called duloxetine tomorrow which I'm nervous about!

What medications do you take to help you and what anxiety symptoms do you or used to get xxx

Sounds like you've been through a lot, at least you have your aunt and uncle and your fiancé. I know what you mean about men not fully understanding though! Have you had counselling or cognitive behaviour therapy? I couldn't get on with cbt but the one on one sessions helped.

To stay positive... It's mainly been from earlier this year, I split from my long term partner and was left to pay the mortgage on my own, I had to think positive as I couldn't risk losing my job and home. I got in a new relationship and that's kept me positive. And talking to my dog (stupid as it sounds) has kept me really positive! He loves me no matter what my mood!

My anxiety symptoms; just always had a bad feeling about things, and I got scared to go into busy areas as I thought everyone was going to laugh at me and stare at me. Even shopping in tesco petrified me. But being on my own I sort of forced myself to do it. Along with the regular meds.

I now take 20mg citalopram and 30mg amitriptyline. I started to ween off amitriptyline this week and have done a few days on 20mg and I've been really down, shaky, fast beating heart today so I've gone back to 30 as I don't want to get back in a rut as I've now managed to get stable!

Xxx

Hollie, I'm strongly advising not to go on lyrica... I'm still very angry about being on this medication. I went on it for depression and anxiety, it turned me into a vegetable. I couldn't even shower or brush my teeth. I have no memory of the twelve to 18 months I was on it.. It took along time to get off it and to get my head half normal again... Please really investigate and research this drug first.

Firstly Laura, I talk to my dog as well he is my baby and your right, however you feel they will love you regardless, I have taken my first new tablet today called duloxetine brand name cymbalta, and I felt very panicky about taking it this morning, as my doctor told me to stop taking my citalopram, and switch straight on to duloxetine, (which I thought was unusual) but I've done what the doctor said, has anyone tried the duloxetine? I feel still on edge today and feel tired (but I have had 2 late nights)

And Linda my Gp will not prescribe me prescribing me lyrica that's why he has put me on duloxetine, do you have GAD, and what symptoms do you get xx

Hi again Hollie. Im glad youre not taking lyrica. I suffer chronic anxiety and panic disorder. Mine is caused by alot of trauma over the past 8 years or so. once you get on the merry go round and in the system (so to speak) it just feels like there is no escape. I have major trust issues and a bit of a fear of corporate type people. that is just a very small part of my anxiety. I truly struggle with what we have become in the millenium. Im quite reclusive, but not to the point where it controls my whole life...i take day by day. I think you will be fine with cymbalta. its a fairly gentle medication i think. Good luck.. Try hard to stay in control of you.

Hello, how do you manage to get through each day, I hate getting up in the morning as I wonder what kind of day I will have, I get suicidal thoughts that then makes my anxiety worse, and I want those thoughts to go away as well as the anxiety, I've been taking my dog for long walks and just trying to keep busy, housework etc, but when your fuelled with anxiety it's so hard, how do you get by on a day to day basis and what medications help you xx