Anxiety and fear

[Desertplains]

I'm in my early 60s and have had anxiety issues since childhood. Now I'm experiencing severe anxiety that is causing me to lose a lot of weight. I have taking 1.5mg of xanax per day since 2014. It doesn't seem to be helping much any more. My PCP put me on Doxipen for a few weeks and that had adverse effects. Just reaching for suggestions.

[Agora1]

Welcome Desertplains to an amazing support forum.I would say that your daily intake of Xanax for 7 years has

run it's course.

It happened to me as well only it was after 30 years 0.25mg once

a day. That little amount caused big anxiety when it no longer had

any effect in reducing my fears. Instead my fears become overwhelming.

That's because our brain is telling us, it wants more in order to perform.

This is quite common with benzos. They are an excellent drug along with therapy

for a while but are not meant to be taken daily on long term.

The loss of weight could be because you are running on high energy with this fear.

Always have your doctor address these issues.

If you are weaned off this benzo, do it only under the care of your doctor or psychiatrist

in a safe and timely manner.

Try incorporating other non medical methods in reducing stress and fear.

I use YouTube as my "go to". There are many videos on Anxiety given by professional

therapists/doctors. Listen to all you can. Learn to try Meditation, focus on your breathing

techniques. Don't give up. Coming onto this site was a blessing in disguise.

We understand, We care and can help you step forward. xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Hello agora and desertplanes,I suffer from slight well sometimes not so slight health anxiety and a few occasions in my life I have gone to doctors, for help during very stressfull times due to life circumstances,but I never took any meds as I panic at getting dependant and side effects,I had cognitive therapy and councelling, but I am prone to self medicate it's called with binge drinking when I'm overwhelmed not good, as very dangerous,my Hormone replacement therapy is good for anxiety, for some reason I don't worry about taking that, it's low dose patches, my life was almost intolerable due to lack of sleep,without them, lost weight 2 years ago and managed to put bit on when I started to feel more relaxed and optimistic, then got more stress and my apetite almost went and I must get on the scales, my appetites back since been swimming and drinking is under control,and is helping my anxiety and sleeping, I still drink sometimes but sensibly, also when I thought I'd have to take some meds as was so bad it said takes few months to have effect so I had to try other ways of coping,luckily for me they helped,yes meditation breathing walking in nature photography mainly swimming,I had a hypnosis Paul mackenna cd too used to help morning and night take care 🤗💐xx

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi HappySwimmer, I always enjoy seeing what others use as tools to over ride theiranxiety. When I got off my benzos, I had to find something,

I have found a variety of tools to help me each and every day with my meditation.

One of them being self hypnosis. It works wonders.. Wishing you Peace & Calm xx

[Desertplains in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your feedback.

[Hidden in reply to Desertplains]

Keep posting let us know how you are and I think I'll post at some point I posted a sunset photo couple days ago with my opinions on things at moment I've no TV Ariel's blown off I think and I'm in a dim light with only a massive picture of the sea and sunset I only came on here ten mins ago been sat here Aon own no radio either I have one but actually sometimes it's nice just to reflect in the stillness of the night like when I wake up about 3 in morning it's all so still we never give our minds time to rest, I love it at seaside on my birthday sat on beach all I could hear was the waves and looking out at the sea just kinda outs us at one with the universe like looking at the full moon and somehow things seem calm even if just for a short while hope you will check my post out take care 🤗💐xx

Someone's happy 😁😺

[Desertplains in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for your feedback. I had no idea the xanax would be part of the problem when it was part of the solution for so long. I have called a psychiatrist to schedule an appointment to see what we need to do.

[Agora1 in reply to Desertplains]

Unfortunately, when benzos are taken daily that solution can become the problem.Now a days, antidepressants may be used to help with anxiety and possible benzo

only when needed. Good Luck with your doctor appointment I wish you well xx

[Figgins42]

I would ask to switch to diazepam. That's what I take. The xanax is so short acting and it can give you rebound anxiety. Please google the Ashton Method. She is a Neurobiologist who found switching to diazepam (valium) from other benzos is a much smoother, safer and more comfortable way to taper. There are doctors who will work with you on this method. I found one in New Jersey and it changed my life. I was on on klonopin and it was making my anxiety worse. Once I got on the diazepam I was able to stabilize and feel like myself again. I was even able to reduce. Whatever you do, don't quit your xanax cold turkey! Also, if you can afford a Psychiatrist, I highly recommend you see one.For lack of appetite, we were told in hospital to drink ensure to get our calories. The carnation breakfast essentials are good too.

I honestly think the xanax is giving you all these issues but once you switch to Valium you'll feel instantly better. See if your PCP will work with you on it.

Don't be scared of it either. I was but I went to a doctor that knew of this method. If more people knew about it, there'd be less suffering on benzos. I hope you look into it. Please let us know how you are. Remember, it's the medication. Changing it will change your life. You're going to be ok!

Let me see if I can find you the link....

benzoinfo.com/doctors/

benzo.org.uk/manual/

[Desertplains in reply to Figgins42]

Thank you for your feedback.

[Agora1 in reply to Figgins42]

I agree with you totally Figgins42. My psychiatrist specializes in benzo withdrawal aswell. He did use the Ashton Method on me which worked safely and effectively. xx

[designguy]

Hello and welcome. One of the things I found earlier this year is how important it is to have properly functioning hormones, thyroid and adrenals and how they can cause or contribute to anxiety/depression if not working, there truly is a mind/body connection.

I personally also found that meds alone did not eliminate my anxiety, it also takes learning about anxiety thinking and how false it is and how to never believe your anxious thinking. I've found the DARE Anxiety book and program very helpful and recommend watching the youtube videos by Michelle Cavanaugh. She does a great job of clarifying and simplifying what anxiety really is, why we erroneously act the way we do and how to learn to accept the anxious thoughts and feelings to recover.

Another thing is to hopefully get 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night. Lack of restful sleep can also contribute to anxiety. I eliminated caffeine and take melatonin at night and also ashwaghanda, phosphatidyl serine and magnesium glycinate to lower cortisol before bedtime. I also found CBD tincture to be helpful for sleep but found out it's bad for glaucoma which i have.

[Desertplains in reply to designguy]

Thank you for your feedback. It is helpful. I take melatonin also but maybe average 3-4 hours of sleep at this time.

[Daveacr1959]

We are the same age with the same problem. 7-8 hours of sleep each night, because lack of sleep is anxiety fuel. 45-60 minutes of daily cardio exercise to produce endorphins that battle your anxiety and depression. A 5-10 minute pure cold shower daily. There is much calm after the cold water. Look up cold showers and mental health.

[Desertplains in reply to Daveacr1959]

Thank you for your feedback.