Lamly

[Lamly]

I have suffered from chronic Anxiety and panic attacks which terrify me, I am almost crippled with it and I am struggling most day, I hardly go anywhere, I seem to have a phobia some days where everything seems full of fear and it is is spinning out of control I cannot face anything and sometimes anyone, no matter how much I do controlled breathing the sheer feeling of panic and fear overwhelm me, I go to my surgery but they don’t seem to want to know, I am on Amitryptiline been on them for years but now they seem to have adverse affects, I have been told recently to slowly wean off them has I have hypontremia ( low sodium) I have always been on a low dose and now I am only on 5 mg once a day, I have got worse since I lowered my dose but I have to come off due to it was Amitriptyline that coursed it in the first place, my surgery refuses to give benzodiazepines out no matter how bad you are, I have taken a low dose in the passed but only on odd 2 mg now and again, I think this is cruel l have been told I can go on other antidepressant has anyone know which one is good for anxiety and panic I am so frightened and frustrated there is no one to talk to and no where to turn to for help.

[012703060610]

Hey there - I too was on amitriptyline for about a year. It slows your gut too and I suffer from IBS C and D as well as a paralyzed gut due to Vagus nerve damage. I hated the med because it gave me such dry mouth. I am now on Remeron (Mirtazipine) 30 mgs a day and doing much better. The only side effect for me is food cravings but I need to add some pounds. I just upped the dosage from 15 mgs to 30 mgs. I do not do well with SSRIs like Prozac....I tend to get IBS D out of control. I am also allergic to pain meds except for Tylenol. I can say though both Prozac and Remeron did help far more than Amitriptyline. Given my allergies to pain meds, I am allowed a steady flow of benzos. I have been able to come off and go back on at various stages. Are you sleeping at all? I would probably get a second opinion if that is an option for you from a new psychiatrist. So many are doing Telehealth now it seems easier. I just lost my psychiatrist to retirement but interviewed with four others before I picked a new one. Anxiety and depression don't always go together. With the severity that you describe, I would hope someone could give you at least a short term script to see how you do on a benzo. Would your PCP or GP help? Yes, all of these meds are brutal on our bodies, but you need to find a way to get calm before you can focus on anxiety management. I'm so sorry for your struggles. I battle with it daily as well. Zoloft and Lexipro are the primary antidepressants that I have been told also help with anxiety. However, there is a ramp up period. Wondering if you can do short term benzo as you acclimate to a new med? Just a thought. I'm no doctor....but have a lot of experience with all of these meds.

[LoveforAll41]

I am so sorry that you have to deal with all of this Lamly. What other drugs have you tried if any? I am on Venlafaxine (Effexor) and I like it a lot actually. It does not make me drowzy all of the time like Fluoxetine did.

Are you going to therapy as well? i know that is the biggest thing for me to progress as the meds keep things at bay.

I wish you peace, hope, and strength.

[Agora1]

Hi Lamly, I just got in but I will address your post shortly.

I hear your fear in each and every word you write. It's going to be okay.

We are here to help you down this path. Don't allow Anxiety to beat you

down. We can show you how to get control back to your life.

Will write back soon. Meanwhile, listen to what others may have to say xx

[012703060610 in reply to Agora1]

I really love your posts. You are such a genuine person!

[Agora1 in reply to 012703060610]

Thank you. xx

[Agora1]

Dear Lamly, I am so sorry, I fell sound asleep after dinner and now in the

midst of a Severe Storm Watch.

I haven't forgotten you. Will get back to you.

Right now bunkering down against the rain and winds hitting

the windows. xx

[Teaching]

I'm sorry you are suffering. Amitriptyline dealt with me and made me hate every antidepressant. I pray you find something that works for you.

[Lamly in reply to Teaching]

I be honest I am beginning to think the same myself. I will try my best not to go back on them.

[SayNOtoPanic]

hang in there Lamly. You know anxiety and panic isn’t friendly and really knows how to keep us engaged in the sheer fear and panic. Doesn’t help when physical symptoms are involved. Just don’t go to the back of the bus. Even when ur tools don’t seem to work keep doing them cause questioning why aren’t they working (like deep breathing) is enough to pump that adrenaline again. Slow deep breaths. Prayers up to you.

[Lamly in reply to SayNOtoPanic]

I have bought a really good book, Claire weeks. Self help with your nerves, and it is repeatedly saying the only way is to face up to your panics is when you gradually lose your fear of your panic attacks stand your ground and ride them out like a wave,I am finding it is helping me

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to Lamly]

Dr Weekes is the homie. Her books are on repeat on my audible. So glad you got that book. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Agora1 in reply to Lamly]

Hi Lamly, that is the book that was/is my foundation in changing my way of

thinking as well as reducing my fear of this entity called Anxiety. Accepting fear

and it's symptoms for what it is, a thought that goes awry causing our body to

respond to unimaginable fear that doesn't exist (but in our mind)

If we continue to embrace these thoughts, the symptoms will continue to

repeat in cycle, a neverending situation.

As you are seeing through reading Dr. Weekes book and understanding her

theory, a light will eventually go on in your mind allowing you to accept what

she is talking about. FYI there are her videos on YouTube which I find easy

to listen to and repeat if necessary. Right now you are in a habit phase of

Anxiety and Fear...Habits may be hard to break but it can be done with persistence

and perseverance. As for Amitriptyline, it was a good drug in it's time but there

are many other meds out there now that can help with Anxiety besides benzos.

Finding the right medication is a trial and error process unless you have a test

done (don't know what it's called) that will give the doctors an idea in what would

work for you. Our virtual friends here on site know what I'm talking about.

Let me close in saying to not give up. Ride this wave until you reach shore where

you will find me waiting for you lol xx

[Marysblue]

Your doctor should be able to help you find something . Find a new doctor . there's some new treatments with blood pressure medicines, and also with Gabapentin for anxiety.There's the herbal supplement ashwagandha. It takes a few weeks. There's 5-HTP , St John's Wort natural antidepressant. Google some of them.