Anxiety living in hell

[Seabreeze80]

Taking venlafaxine I have debilitating anxiety and it never goes away what do I do?

[Hidden]

I've lived with it most of my life. Mirtazapine helped more than any other medication and it was immediate because of the sedating effects. You can try breathing techniques to slow your heart down for now. You just breathe in really deep, hold it and long exhale. You do this for several minutes until you feel calmer. I know how debilitating anxiety can be. My heart goes out to you!

[Seabreeze80 in reply to Hidden]

Nothing seems to works my anxiety is constant

[Marimac]

Hi Seabreeze80, I'm sorry you're dealing with anxiety. II's a daily struggle for me too and I know how awful it can be. I'm also taking Venlafaxine, currently 150mg/day. Just curious about your dosage and if you've been taking it . I started in 2003 and it works differently at 75mg vs 150. You may already know that, just thought I'd ask since I've experienced it first hand. My anxiety has been creeping up lately, as it does for no apparent reason. I'll most likely taper down to 75mg after my next Dr appointment. At times I wish I'd never started but it was the only thing that worked other than benzos and that's not a good idea for long term treatment. My anxiety has come and gone over the last 20 years and usually greets me with a panic attack, and usually somewhere standing in line at a store or driving. It's definitely not a gracious guest. Then it backs off but hangs around a while, just not as intense. I know when you're in the middle of it, you need something that moment. The things that have helped me most when my heart's pounding, I'm visibly shaking and my skin feels like it has a bad sunburn, are the breathing exercises, telling someone that I trust, cold air blowing in my face (I sit in my car), relaxing music (ASMR works great but I've read that it doesn't for everyone), and drinking as much of a really cold bottle of water I can at once. Not sure why the water seems to help but 2 times I've been to the ER for a panic attack, they told me I was dehydrated. I wish there were a magic pill you could buy over the counter, maybe someday. But for now, remember how you're feeling is temporary and will pass, take some deep breaths and (assuming you have any racing, ruminating, intrusive thoughts), it helps me sit or lie back in a cool place, close my eyes and listen to something relaxing.

Sorry so long, I wish there were a simple and easy answer.

[Ivydog]

Have you tried speaking to your GP to see if a different medication or increasing your dosage would help? You may also wish to consider speaking to a councillor to try understand the route cause.

I know counselling helped me and I’ve also discovered the calm app which is helping me just now especially when I’m trying to go out, I stick my headphones in and listen to the daily calm.