trying something new

Hi Everyone,

I don't think my post went through..lol on an anxiety site...oh my. So here I am again. I am 58, soon to be 59, and have had anxiety for 20 years. It has been well managed with Zoloft but as I have gotten older and experience conditions and medications for things like arthritis and high blood pressure, it seems the things that trigger my anxiety are smaller and the anxiety is bigger. Last week I was having trouble breathing and went to the doctor to find out I had a respiratory infection but the breathing issues were SCARY. So of course I did what I shouldn't, I googled things and put myself in the "What If" rollercoaster of anxiety. What if the breathing doesn't get better, which it has not, what if it's fatal,what if I can't work...etc and etc.

I work from home which makes days lonely sometimes. I have my 20 year old son at home and in college but the last thing I want is to burden him- he also has anxiety and depression. I am estranged from my siblings and I don't see much of my friends except on facebook and I don't think they would understand the need to vent and ramble and be weepy and cry sometimes. So I thought asupport group might help. Usually my anxiety settles backdown to "normal" after a few days but this time it is running high...which makes me more anxious. I don't think anyone understands what a vicious ycle it is unless you suffer with it.

I'm hoping this helps...thanks for reading

[CazO46]

Hi trying58, a warm welcome. Well done to you for trying something new, it's not always easy. There are lots of lovely people in this community who experience similar problems and will be happy to offer support. Like you I tend to think the worst when I become unwell and try to stay away from google as I just terrify myself. Working alone can be isolating so being here will hopefully keep you company on the days you need it. Good to talk with you

[luvmyself]

Welcome! Always know that there is someone here for you to talk to.

Message me if need to talk.

[Hidden in reply to luvmyself]

Hi! Thanks so much. Today is such a bad day and all I want to do is cry. I have only had one other period of intense anxiety like this and it was about four years ago. Now I feel like I am having anxiety over having anxiety. I have no appetite and have to force down food. I am hoping that I can work tomorrow and that maybe increasing my dose of Zoloft will help. I am actually having clammy palms...at home. This just sucks! Maybe a trip to the grocery store will help...been in this house a lot lately.

[dukenu]

Doctor just started me on zoloft and its not working...maybe I have more anxiety with it. Anxiety is one of the worst things to have...Ive heard people who have had cancer and anxiety both and say that anxiety is the worst. I dealt with this IBS anxiety about 10 years ago and was in really bad shape...I eventually got better and was doing ok but I just started having the same symptoms about 2 weeks ago. The usual things I do only offer mild relief and ive been in an out of the er...saw a psychiatrist that gave me the zoloft and Im still getting up with a nervous caugh and gagging, anxiety etc in the morning. I overcame once...I know that I can get better, Its just very hard to do. Exercise, distraction (not dwelling on the illness), CBT and 5htp have helped me mangage. Meditation and prayer have also helped (there are lots of youtube videos that you can relax to and listen to with positive reinforcing phrases). Try being grafeful for anything that is good (within the mess that we are going through); be mindful if you can find beauty in anything try to connect with feelings that are positive...its hard I know...its like lifting weights...but the more you practice good thoughs the easier it becomes and those thoughts will begin to lighten your mood and lessen your worry.