Let's Talk About Anxiety Disorders Here...

[Christine]

I know this has come up before--specifically panic attacks. But does anyone else have generalized anxiety? I've been dealing with it for years, see a shrink, blah, blah, blah. I'm going through a VERY rough time with it the past few days and did not get ANY sleep last night.

My anxiety manifests itself in different ways. Sometimes it is panic attacks, other times it is shakiness, and other times I cannot breathe well. The breathing thing first happened about 11 years ago. I just feel like I cannot get a deep breath. I went to my doctor because I was sure I had asthma. Well, I have some of the best pulmonary function he had ever seen. The breathing comes and goes. A few years later, I had another bad bout with the breathing. Went to a lung specialist and NOTHING.

The breathing issue happens sporadically. Usually when it does, it only lasts a few hours. Well, I've been having a tough time for the last 3 weeks. It started a few days after my kids went on the Disney Cruise with my parents. I started to feel uncomfortable about things, and I noticed I felt short of breath. It is worse at night. I lay there all night gasping for breath. It all seemed to subside but hit me again last night. I was up all night. I am at work, but barely. I am calling my shrink today, although I doubt I can get in. Does anyone get this?

I just can't get any relief and the anxiety is starting to cripple me (at least I feel that way today). I usually take Xanax. I have tried all the SSRIs and they make me feel awful and seem to make the anxiety worse. I also have a lot of things *wrong* in my life and I am unable to fix them: marriage is odd, job is screwed up, my son has ADHD, asthma, and horrible anxiety himself. I feel like I've tried EVERYTHING for this and nothing works. I've done the usual meds for it, exercise, diet, cognitive therapy, etc. Also, my health insurance does not cover mental health so everything is out of my pocket on that. VERY expensive. I tried to stick with my GP but that got nowhere. I'm just sick of it.

So, any ideas or just some "misery loves company?"

 

[auntpolly]

Do you have any other symptoms? I have an in-law that had panic attacks and they turned out to be the result of OCD. In that case, I don't think the Xanax would help you much. With adult onset OCD, from what I've gathered here in my family situation, the obsessive or compulsive behavior can be mild - not your typical "handwashing until you bleed" or anything as extreem as that.

 

[H&Hmommy]

I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I too suffer from anxiety. I know what you mean when you say that you feel like you can't breath I'm the same way on my bad days. I usually take a long hot bath or my husband will give me a back rub...it's truly anything to get my mide off breathing (I know that sounds stupid, but it is so true) The more I think about it the worse it gets. So just try anything to get your mind on somthing else.
I also take 300mg of Wellbutrn and I have noticed that my attacks are few and far between.
I hope things get better for you. Just know your not alone.
Kim

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I have suffered with Anxiety Disorder for 12 years now. I pretty much have it under control. BUT, this past May I had a trip to WDW scheduled, just DH and I, and I could not bring myself to get on that plane.

I have never had the breathing problem you have described but my sister does. I was, however, housebound for a year and a half with attacks. I tried Xanax for about 2 months but it was not for me. I went to a therapist who told me that I was a "YES" person and that I needed to take charge of my life and do what I wanted, not what would please others. You know, it worked. It took awhile but taking charge of my life helped me to overcome the attacks.

What H&H says about taking your mind off of the breathing is totally on target. For me, I would do Seek and Find puzzles to pass the time while having an attack. It made me focus on something other that my attack so that eventually the time of the attacks decreased and I was able to live a normal life. I understand how frustrating they are but hang in there and DO NOT let them win by taking over your life. Seeing a therapist is the best advice I can give you. Meds help but are not always the answer.

Good Luck!

 

[Christine]

auntpolly: I don't *think* I'm OCD. I've been seeing a psychiatrist and a few psychologist in between and no one has settled on the diagnosis. I probably do have some OCD tendencies in that I tend to get caught up in negative thought patterns, but I think that is pretty typical for anxiety sufferers.

Kim: Glad to hear I'm not the only one with the breathing issue! I know that doing something works. If I can get out and exercise, I can actually breathe fine. Although, I've had exercise set off one of the bad spells as well as just drinking a cup of tea. So sometimes I think it is caused by other issues.

Nice to know I'm not alone.

 

[Christine]

Tinkerbelle: What does your sister do for the breathing? And does she find it to be very bothersome? You talked about doing puzzles--well I've been DIS'ing to get my mind off things.

I am not a YES person (I'm actually more of a NO person and have no problem NOT doing things) but, as I said in my OP, there are many things in my life that are not as they should be. Mainly due to financial constraints, I feel powerless to make a change in any of them. These are all BIG areas of my life: MARRIAGE, KIDS, JOB. I guess that is part of anxiety/depression--feeling powerless or paralyzed with fear to make any changes. Right now, today, I am feeling pretty desparate. What I want to do is to just get up, go in and tell my boss that I'm outta here, and never come back. But I can't--I make more than half of the family income. I *am* getting ready to apply for a new job that will be a better opportunity, but it is a government job and the process will probably take up to 6 months, if not more. There is not much else I can do. Anyway, today, I'm just trying to get through the day and not make any rash decisions.

 

[Teejay32]

Nope, you're not alone.

I found this on the web one day: www.paniccure.com

It deals with all kinds of anxiety. Fantastic site, read it through.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Christine
auntpolly: I don't *think* I'm OCD. I've been seeing a psychiatrist and a few psychologist in between and no one has settled on the diagnosis. I probably do have some OCD tendencies in that I tend to get caught up in negative thought patterns, but I think that is pretty typical for anxiety sufferers.

The only reason that I mention it is because just as soon as my relative got on the meds for OCD he was immediately better! It was amazing!!!! OCD is just one of those very treatable things.

 

[my3kids]

I believe VA treats biological based mental illness as another other medical condition. Meaning, if you have insurance, they must cover these the same as any physical illness. Check on the state's insurance regulations.

Second, have you tried Paxil? It may take a while to work, but is one of the most efffective anti depressants for anxiety disorder. It is also available as a generic and would be fairly inexpensive compared to some of the name brand medications.

I hope you can find some relief.

 

[disneygals]

No answers or advice, just !

 

[chrissyk]

I had the gasping for air problems at night, and I thought that it was odd because I wasn't anxious about anything. I chalked it up to something in my head. Separately, my Dr. decided to try me on a reflux medication for some other symptom. Like magic, the gasping for air at night thing went away too. It turns out that there is like a 90% chance that I have GERD (reflux), and that can cause the gasping for air symptom. I am mentioning this because this isn't a symptom that I would have connected to reflux in a million years. It's worth asking your Dr. about to see if there is a connection.

 

[Teejay32]

Originally posted by Christine
Mainly due to financial constraints, I feel powerless to make a change in any of them. These are all BIG areas of my life: MARRIAGE, KIDS, JOB. I guess that is part of anxiety/depression--feeling powerless or paralyzed with fear to make any changes.

I didn't see this before. I think that's a common thread among people w/anxiety - feeling powerless. I think as women we're better at talking ourselves into these little boxes of existence for the benefit of the kids, the marriage, the family....and then once we're there we don't make waves because it affects those same things. This goes on, then comes a breaking point...we need to make major life changes, but heaven forbid we inconvenience anyone in the process. LOL! Then it starts to manifest itself physically in different ways. Men aren't immune to this either. Examine your thought process sometimes...no, police it. That's what cognitive therapy is.

I have a child that I worried excessively about. It was asked of me once: is the kid any better off because you worried for three hours last night? Had to say no. Then: is the kid any better off that her problem is having this effect on you? No again! That was kind of enlightening.

Sometimes, too, it helps just to have someone remind you that you are more than Wife of ___, Mother of ____, Financial Provider. Take care of yourself too, you whole self.

ok, I'm done now. Wishing you luck.

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by my3kids
I believe VA treats biological based mental illness as another other medical condition. Meaning, if you have insurance, they must cover these the same as any physical illness. Check on the state's insurance regulations.

Second, have you tried Paxil? It may take a while to work, but is one of the most efffective anti depressants for anxiety disorder. It is also available as a generic and would be fairly inexpensive compared to some of the name brand medications.

I hope you can find some relief.

I don't think my health insurance is state regulated. We live in Virginia, work in DC; however our insurance is based on a company out of Maryland !! Anyway, the mental health care benefits are separate from my regular medical insurance. In order for me to get any small benefits, I have to go through their counselors first for eight wonderful free sessions (which I have done). Then I get to see my own doctor. For a $200 visit, I get reimbursed about $23.00. Our coverage is just VERY low on mental health and always has been. Now my best friend has insurance where it is treated the same as medical and she only has a $15 copay for each visit. Great, huh? I just can't afford it. Also, I've been through so many different people, it is REALLY hard to find a good therapist.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

OH I FORGOT TO ADD!!

My sister drinks bottled water. I am not sure how she came up with that but it helps her calm down. Maybe the swallowing helps, I am not sure.

ALSO, I forgot to mention that one of the most important discoveries I have made in my own recovery is avoiding caffeine at all costs. (Your tea comment reminded me) I do not eat chocolate, dark sodas (even if they claim to be Caf. free), choc. pudding is especially high, coffee or tea. This is key, I believe. Try cutting it out and see what happens, let me know.

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by chrissyk
I had the gasping for air problems at night, and I thought that it was odd because I wasn't anxious about anything. I chalked it up to something in my head. Separately, my Dr. decided to try me on a reflux medication for some other symptom. Like magic, the gasping for air at night thing went away too. It turns out that there is like a 90% chance that I have GERD (reflux), and that can cause the gasping for air symptom. I am mentioning this because this isn't a symptom that I would have connected to reflux in a million years. It's worth asking your Dr. about to see if there is a connection.

Funny you should mention this. I didn't want to add this to my original post because it was already so long and convoluted BUT, I have reflux. Have had it since 1998. I take Nexium for it. There have been several times that I *have* attributed my breathing problems to GERD. For instance, I clearly remember one morning I was sitting at my kitchen table reading the paper and having a cup of tea. About halfway throught he tea, the needing-to-get-deep-breath feeling hit me. It lasted 2 weeks. Sometimes just exercising will trigger it. Nothing anxious at all. I then wonder, is my GERD acting up? But, I am on Nexium and supposedly (according to my doc) my GERD isn't that bad. It's real easy to start wondering if you're really crazy or you've got a physical problem going on. I think women are especially "pushed off" at the doctor. Right before I was diagnosed with GERD, I had diarhea (sp) and weight loss. I lost 25 lbs in two months. I went to 4 different doctor who all told me I had IBS and psychological issues. Well, if I didn't have them before that, I surely acquired them. I finally went to a gastroenterologist who quickly diagnosed me with a parasite and I was better in about 2 weeks. Had I not kept pushing, all the doctors would have pushed me around and made me feel like a nutcase.

 

[chrissyk]

Originally posted by Christine
Funny you should mention this. I didn't want to add this to my original post because it was already so long and convoluted BUT, I have reflux. Have had it since 1998. I take Nexium for it. There have been several times that I *have* attributed my breathing problems to GERD. For instance, I clearly remember one morning I was sitting at my kitchen table reading the paper and having a cup of tea. About halfway throught he tea, the needing-to-get-deep-breath feeling hit me. It lasted 2 weeks. Sometimes just exercising will trigger it. Nothing anxious at all. I then wonder, is my GERD acting up? But, I am on Nexium and supposedly (according to my doc) my GERD isn't that bad. It's real easy to start wondering if you're really crazy or you've got a physical problem going on. I think women are especially "pushed off" at the doctor. Right before I was diagnosed with GERD, I had diarhea (sp) and weight loss. I lost 25 lbs in two months. I went to 4 different doctor who all told me I had IBS and psychological issues. Well, if I didn't have them before that, I surely acquired them. I finally went to a gastroenterologist who quickly diagnosed me with a parasite and I was better in about 2 weeks. Had I not kept pushing, all the doctors would have pushed me around and made me feel like a nutcase.

I've been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, IBS, and a host of other gastrointestinal problems. I had had chronic diarrhea since I was really young. 3 months ago, I told my new gastro that I had a new symptom of queasiness and throwing up/dry heaving all of a sudden. He decided to try me on a reflux medicine (Protonix), and sure enough the throwing up AND the diarrhea went away. Also, the gasping-for-air went away. Oh, and apparently having a constant burning in your throat is NOT normal. Since I'd always had it, I assumed that everyone else did too I never thought to mention it to any Dr., but I certainly mentioned it to my gastro once the Protonix made that burning feeling go away.

How does your gastro know that your GERD is "not that bad"? Have you done any swallow tests so that he could check it out lately? I wouldn't discount that the reflux could be causing the gasping for air. Boy, do I ever remember that feeling of not being able to breathe at night. The Protonix was like a miracle for me!

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by chrissyk
How does your gastro know that your GERD is "not that bad"? Have you done any swallow tests so that he could check it out lately? I wouldn't discount that the reflux could be causing the gasping for air. Boy, do I ever remember that feeling of not being able to breathe at night. The Protonix was like a miracle for me!

I had an upper endoscopy. After I had the parasite, I was really queasy all the time and whenever I would eat, I would get full very quickly. Also, if I ate out, I would get full and then feel real panicky. So now I associate eating out with panic and have trouble with that.

Anyway, the upper endoscopy demonstrated a mildly loose lower esophageal sphincter and some mild inflammation of the esophagus. He told me that the inflammation (redness) was so mild that he couldn't imagine that it was bothering me. He did put me on Prilosec and I got better very quickly. I have never been 100% perfect. Prilosec has gone over the counter. That OTC stuff didn't work and my insurance would pay for the old Prilosec. So he put me on Nexium just last year. Not sure if I'm any worse or any better. But, I never get hearturn, burning throat, etc. I will feel conscious sometimes of food washing up and it being bitter.

 

[BananaButton]

Christine - Reading your post sounded as if I was reading about myself! I can honestly relate to what you are going through. I have had anxiety problems my entire adult life. It only recently got so bad that I could not stand it any more and went to my Dr. who put me on Effexor. Most of the time I feel "normal" although I still have some really bad days, mostly at work (I HATE my job, but like you, my income is a huge chunk and I can't afford to quit, though I am looking to move to another position, hopefully soon). On days like that (today, in fact) I take a xanax and that usually helps. I don't have the breathing thing. My main symptom is a choking sensation. Just as if someone has their hands around my neck (on the inside) and is squeezing as tight as they can. On bad days that squeezing sensation works its way down to my stomach so my whole upper body is one big knot. Not much fun.
I also feel powerless over things that I can't "fix" or even control in my life ( I worry constantly about my teenage daughters). I also prefer for things to be right, as in as close to perfect as possible. This is the main reason for my unhappiness at work - as the project I am working on is so out of control and I am not in the position to be able to make it right.

Maybe you should try another medication? The effexor took a while to kick in but once it did it helped me tremendously.

Just wanted to let you know - you are not alone!

Hang in there.......tomorrow will be better.

 

[JKanownik]

Just thought I should mention that when looking for a therapist for any anxiety related disorder, all of the literature that I have read specifies that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy should be used. If a therapist isn't an expert at CBT I would look elsewhere.

Also, recent studies on happiness and income have shown that after people exceed an income of $40,000 a year, their locus of control is the primary indicator of their happiness and is independent of further income increases. Locus of control is a measure of how in control of your life you feel. The "powerless" feeling comes from having an external locus of control and that is very difficult to change without effective CBT.

-Josh

 

[jeleebeene]

So sorry you are having a rough time right now

I, too, have anxiety so I can understand your feelings. I used to take medication, but I didn't like it so I discontinued it. So far, I am fine, but I have to be careful. As long as I don't put myself in a situation that I know will cause an attack, I am fine. Sometimes, though, an attack just springs up and I can't figure out why. I am doing better than I was, so there is hope!