Severe anxiety or something else?

[rollcoast17]

I have been struggling with severe anxiety for several months now due to various physical and psychological symptoms. I have been to so many doctors and they have found nothing other than heart tachycardia. I wake up with internal tremors and uncontrollable physical anxiousness/adrenaline/lightheaded for hours but no impending doom. Then my body seems to crash, I'm exhausted but still can't rest or sleep and it feels like I am drugged or sedated. Also been dealing with depersonalization/derealization where things around me don't seem real. When it's really bad I feel like I am floating or out of my body. Both of these can last hours at a time. I have hot and cold flashes and I wake up most nights sweating and disoriented. I am taking Paxil for my anxiety which helps some, but the symptoms are still there. There are days where I feel so tired that it is hard for me to walk, eat, and do simple things. Has anyone else felt this ill from anxiety alone?

[lillyofthevalley37]

How much paxil are you on and how long have you been.taking it ?

[rollcoast17 in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

10 mcg for 6 weeks

[vbp123]

Hi. I am not a doctor but anxiety can make you so sick and confused what is going on with us. If doctor said you are ok then believe them. It is easier said than done however we are here on the same boat.

Keep positive, keep busy maybe it will help.

xxx

[Billsfriend]

I have had many of the same symptoms, including depersonalization, and the feeling of unreality, debilitating chest pain, IBS, and fear of leaving the house, even to just go outside to the yard.

Your symptoms sound much worse, but I am on a stable dose of my antidepressant.

I guess your doctor started you on a 1/2 dose of paxil to avoid side effects. ( Normal starting dose is 20 mg/ day, increasing to a maximum of 50mg/ day. I think you should let your Dr. Know how you are doing and that they will increase your dosage immediately. If not, I would want to know why.

That being said, I found my relief from self help techniques that I found on Google, You Tube, and other places. I was trying Soo many things that I don't really know what was the most effective.

I had to start by reading simple things, I think because I was overwhelmed by negative thoughts, and self talk. I kept practicing and got a little better, progressing to more difficult subjects. At the same time, I started Meditation, as a way to gain control of my thoughts. If you can't do these things now, perhaps the Paxil will give you a little jump start. I find it helpful to keep a record of my progress, so that I can see that progress even when I have a bad day. I also used phone apps. All the things I did were free. You have already taken some big steps in the right direction.

By getting on medication, and by coming here. You will find a lot of very helpful suggestions here. Choose what makes sense to you. Decide to believe it will work for you. In combination with adjusting your meds, you will be amazed at your progress.

If you find helpful advice here, you can click on the name or avatar of the writer, and read their other posts too.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing !