Always Anxious. Please Help.

[SpookCity_USA]

I have been worrying over everything lately. I have been having panic attacks, extreme anxiety and depression for over a month now. I wasn't experiencing this for the longest time, but now it's back and worse then ever.

I use to get them a few years back. I had reason to be stressed back then, my weight problem, grades weren't too good, I dressed very dark and I felt that way too. I was having horrible nightmares and getting episodes of Sleep Paralysis that scared the life out of me and were the start of the anxiety.

I have been on Lexapro and Zoloft. Neither seemed to help me out. I just felt tired and completely numb constantly. Those, ontop of taking Ambien, did help me stop the sleep disorder, but not much else in my waking life.

This was all before I had lost weight. I was 195 lbs and so miserable.

I feel like this again, two years later and at my goal weight. My heart pounds, I feel doomed, I feel like my life is going no where. Between the hours of about 4-10pm, I am in a complete panic. I tried to get over it on my own, because it's not something new. It's something I've dealt with over and over again. The panic attacks have been so bad that I almost feel like it's an 'out of body experience.'

The only thing that has been keeping me calm is food. I have been binging on the most pointless things lately. Somehow I still manage to maintain my weight, but I'll find myself completely stuffing my face to focus my mind on something else instead of all of the thoughts that are in my head. I HATE THIS. I don't want to be this person again.

I broke down in front of my mother, confessing that I can't handle this on my own anymore.

I'm going to my doctor this week to talk about anti-depressents. Thinking about all of this is even making me feel dizzy, spacey and anxious beyond belief at this VERY moment. I need to get a handle on this.

Please, please please...if you have any successful prescriptions that you are taking for anxiety/depression or OCD, share them if you can.

Any recommendations?

[Atkid]

Hugs to you Rebecca, I have been a panic attack sufferer for 21 years now. Sometimes severe and sometime just frequently. Fortunately, at the moment I am free of antidepressants, I feel like the lack of carbs has helped me immensely, but I am aware that you are still an Atkinskid for life so that probably doesn't help much me saying that since your carb levels are probably still very low. One other thing that I found did bring on panic attacks was the use of Equal or its equivalent. Will never touch that stuff again. Anyhow, you have said you tried Lexapro. That is what I was on last. They start you off at 10 mg. but that was not enough for me. I had to move up to the 20 mg.. Why not give that a start. It has a fast working action, alot quicker than Prozac did? My heart goes out to you as a fellow sufferer, let us know how you are making out.

[jcapulet]

I have mild anxiety and used to take Lexapro, but had to switch because it made it worse. The doc said something about it being a stimulant, but I might be wrong. I switched to Paxil CR, which seems ok. Definitely talk to your doc about the meds, if they are not working. (note: Paxil has been linked to weight gain, just FYI).

My husband gets panic attacks sometimes, I help him the best I can by telling him it's temporary and that it WILL pass. When you get the attacks, don't stay in a room or be alone. If possible, ask someone to stay in the room to help support you...or call a friend. I know at that point it may be hard, but please try to make sure someone is there to try to help you through it.

[MidnightJulliett]

Before you start taking prescriptions, hear my story, and I highly suggest reading Dr. Atkins Vita-Nutrient Solution, Natures Answer to Drugs. I have major anxiety attacks, Insomnia, Depression, Bruxism, along with sleep apnea. I am prescribed to clonazapam (Klonopin) which does work to some degree with my horrific sleep issues. However, the following cocktail is better than any prescription medication I have ever taken for anxiety or sleep problems.

Valerian Root (Safe to take in moderate doses)
Kava Kava Extract (Not for long term use, sporadically is okay)
Calcium (Do not overdo it)
5-HTP (Follow manufacturers reccomendations)
GABA (Safe to take in higher doses) *
Melatonin (Take before bedtime unless anxiety is severe during the day, take a small dose) Also safe to take in high doses *

Compounds in Valerian root are extracted to make the pharmaceutical drug, Valium. Valerian promotes relaxation without grogginess and will not impair your ability to function unless taken in high doses.

Kava Kava is a single purpose herb that promotes relaxation, relieves anxiety, and will make you happy!

Calcium is a potent sleep inducer with many other benefits. Taken before bedtime along with the other supplements listed will help promote a restful nights sleep.

5-HTP is the pre-cursor chemical to Seratonin, which many anti-depressants focus on. Depressed people tend to exhibit low levels of seratonin, norepenephrine, and dopamine. Providing the body with a steady supplementation of this pre-cursor chemical will allow it to manufacture seratonin naturally. Instead of SSRI's which inhibit the body's natural function of clearing out what little seratonin is left.

GABA has many benefits but it's mainly used for anxiety. It has the same function as any of the benzodiazepenes, slowing the neuron or neurotransmitter activity in the brain. Somebody mentioned Equal gave them anxiety, and I certainly believe you. Aspartame, along with MSG, are classified as excitotoxins. Studies have shown these chemicals overstimulate the neuron activity in the brain, thus leading to anxiety. Check EVERYTHING you are consuming to make sure you are not consuming Equal aka Aspartame, or MSG which can be disguised on food labels as hydrolyzed vegetable something, monosodium glutamate, and even others. In the book "Natural Cures, They Don't Want You To Know About", Kevin Trudeau provides a list of how MSG can be listed on food labels using alternate terms.

Melatonin is a natural sleep hormone produced by the pineal gland, and is also a powerful antioxidant. Melatonin is a potent sleep inducer. It is manufactured naturally by the body, but in today's society with artificial lighting, people working 2nd and 3rd shifts, or not sleeping correctly, sometimes the body can't produce enough on it's own, or at the right time. Supplements will fix the problem, along with sleeping correctly (lights out, noise off). Studies have shown the body does not produce enough melatonin or even any when lights are on. Melatonin is very safe to take in HIGH doses. Dr. Atkins took 30 mg's. Start off small and work your way up.

If your anxiety peaks from 4-10 PM, take the Valerian, Kava Kava & GABA right at 4:00. These WILL help you promote relaxation and get ready to wind down. Not sure what your schedule is like but make sure you are doing your best to not participate in stressfull activities 2-3 hours before bedtime (paying bills, house-cleaning, answering phone calls or e-mails, doing homework).

Take the Melatonin, Calcium, and 5-HTP 1/2 hour before bedtime as you will get real sleepy, real fast. Make sure to shut all the lights out in your bedroom, including alarm clocks (turn them around), and shutting shades. Shut off computer screens, or anything that glows. These can interrupt REM sleep and raise levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.

If I can give you a piece of advice from a stress/sleep deprived/anxiety ridden/clinically diagnosed depressed/tooth grinding & clenching Princess of at least 5 years now...talk to your Doctor about getting off Anti-Depressants. They alter some brain chemicals favorably, but others may not be altered to your benefit, and may be contributing to anxiety. I am not a Doctor, talk to yours. All I can tell you is what helped me. I reached into my medicine cabinet and threw away Effexor, Wellbutrin, Xanax and Valium to replace them with the supplements listed above, and St. John's Wort. Which I don't care what anyone says, is the most effective anti-depressant along with sunlight I have ever experienced in my LIFE. St. John's Wort has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills, so keep that in mind.

Follow manufacturers instructions as always. Do not drive until you know how these substances effect you. Good luck. I hope you try it. You'll be amazed.

* Refer to Dr. Atkins "Vita-Nutrient Solution" Natures Answer to Drugs
DISCUSS EVERYTHING WITH YOUR DOCTOR!!!

EDIT

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