Anxiety still controlling my life…

[Tortugita007]

Still suffering with daily anxiety/panic attacks. Often debilitating. I guess I’m waiting for meds to kick in and trying to use my “tools”. I don’t want to feel like this anymore. I wish I could be seemingly carefree like so many people around me, able to go about their daily lives.

[litethatnevergoesout]

’seemingly carefree’ you have no idea what others are going through

[Tortugita007 in reply to litethatnevergoesout]

I agree with you-one never knows what another may be going through. I apologize if my comment offended you. In my comment, I meant that it is so hard to watch others appear to have it together when I’m falling apart. To be able to take part in laughter, conversations, take kids to the park…but I can’t because I’m falling apart at the seams.

[litethatnevergoesout in reply to Tortugita007]

I’m not offended. I am falling apart too, and I take my kids everywhere they want to go, laugh with them, teach them and talk to them. I do not do this alone I do it for my children. they do not know I have crippling anxiety or depression. I remain cool when they lose their phone etc. I am not this way around everyone but definitely my children. we have it in us to conquer these illnesses. then, when alone, unravel and cry maybe.

I cherish the time with my children and it’s not all the time I get them. I do everything I can and seek support from my best supporters to endure.

[Willow2022]

Hey there Tortugita. Sorry to hear you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks so often. It can really affect every part of your life.

When did you start your medication? Personally I did not feel much better until about a month had passed. My doc and I fiddled with doses and now, I am stable.

Perhaps your body needs a bit more time to level out or if you have been on it for a while, maybe it’s not the right medication for you. In that case, speak with your doctor about your side effects.

I wish you peace and calm. And a hug. I also send hugs 🤗

[Tortugita007 in reply to Willow2022]

Thank you for such a warm and kind response. I have been on Cymbalta for 8-9 days plus lorazepam. The last time this happened, it took probably 4 or 5 weeks to stabilize. Meanwhile, it’s pure hell. I’m glad you’re stable…when I’m stable, I also reach out to support others.

[Willow2022 in reply to Tortugita007]

Okay so you have experience with it. Each time I have gone off or started my same meds it was slightly different. Keep that in mind but also try and be patient. So easy for me to say, I know. But you are trying and that is the most you can do. Stay the course and give it just a bit more time. The meds aren’t “happy and carefree” pills, they are only part of a large network that works for you. Are you able to receive any kind of therapy?

[Tortugita007 in reply to Willow2022]

Therapy next week-my new therapist called to cancel today’s appointment and rescheduled for next week. I really needed therapy today.

[Tortugita007 in reply to Willow2022]

Hello again, Willow. I lost my login, but now I’m back. I discontinued Cymbalta and have now been on Prozac for 5 weeks. The anxiety is winning today. I really hope to be able to live a somewhat normal life sometime soon. I’m missing out on a lot. Have a new therapist-work together twice per week. How have you been?

[Willow2022 in reply to Tortugita007]

uhhhh to be honest, I have seen better days. I tried to find a new therapist and it didn’t go very well so I am trying again. Running into lots of waitlists. I am back on Prozac which has helped a great deal but definitely not doing “good” or as good as I would like.

How is therapy working for you?

[NorwegianWood]

Australian Indigenous spirituality has something to offer in the way of connection to 'country' (homeland - not today's nations of Australian, US, UK etc).

There's something about walking in nature and noticing everything - it's a mindfulness. There's plenty on the internet about how nature helps us relax.

Here's the first verse of a song I wrote this last week for NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) It was written for a church service and uses the words of Auntie Miriam Rose Ungunmerre and her community from Daly River (Northern Territory), and Auntie Denise Champion (theologian in residence at Adelaide College of Divinity (South Australia):

1. Do not hurry the river, move as fast as it goes,

Do not hurry the sunrise, wait for children to grow.

Wait for new understanding, year on year coming near,

Spend some time moving slowly, God’s way soon will be clear.

_____________

There's wisdom in noticing the detail and taking things slowly. It's going to help you relax.

miriamrosefoundation.org.au...

uniting.church/anaditj-book...

[Always_hope_andpray]

I can totally relate to you, I miss my "care free" days too, I'm not on medication, sometimes I wish I was but I feel I've come through the worst of it.I found CBT helped, counselling, talking, doing things even when I didn't want to (this was the hardest to do) for example going for a walk in the park, going out for a meal, at the time I didn't want to, but after the event it made me feel a tiny bit better. It's work in progress and small tiny steps and small goals are better than none.

I used to wake up with a nervous feeling in my stomach and chest and shakey hands. (Still do at times) Daily affirmations helped to calm the morning anxiety, phrases like "I am strong, I am brave, I can get through this, I have been here before and I can do this again, etc etc.

How is your sleep like? I found once I started sleeping better, it helped my anxiety too.

[detour13 in reply to Always_hope_andpray]

good morning , i have had panics attacks since i was 19 .. i am 57 now .. i still wake up most mornings with a knot in stamach .. something that has never gone away!!

[Tortugita007 in reply to Always_hope_andpray]

Seems that we experience anxiety the same way. Thank you for the reminder about affirmations - I’ve already began to repeat it to myself. Sleep is getting better, until I bolt upright from my sleep. Psychiatrist informed me that people can have panic attacks in our sleep. That was a new one for me. Hoping the Cymbalta will help with some of the debilitating symptoms once it kicks in. And yes, the making myself do things…I try to get out with the family. Thank you for your wise words.

[Always_hope_andpray in reply to Tortugita007]

I had no idea that people can have panic attacks in their sleep! That's definitely a new one. Hope your medication kicks in soon and you get some relief.

[Tortugita007 in reply to Always_hope_andpray]

Seems that we experience anxiety the same way. Thank you for the reminder about affirmations - I’ve already began to repeat it to myself. Sleep is getting better, until I bolt upright from my sleep. Psychiatrist informed me that people can have panic attacks in our sleep. That was a new one for me. Hoping the Cymbalta will help with some of the debilitating symptoms once it kicks in. And yes, the making myself do things…I try to get out with the family. Thank you for your wise words.

[detour13]

Good morning sorry to hear your going thru this!! I have been suffering from panic attacks since I was 19 I am 57 now.. It's horrible when it shows its ugly face .. I am much better these days , but still wake up every morning with a knot in my stomach!! I tried several medication , but therapy was the best treatment I found.

I am no brad Pitt, but one day I was entering a store and was having severe panic attacks.. I saw this really overweight guy and again ( I'm not being vain) but boy it looks like he fell off the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.. He was smiling and seemed care free, and I said to myself .. Boy would I change places with him to get rid of these panic attacks!! Sad but true .. Take it one day at a time.. You can beat this and start to feel better .. It never goes away, you will start to feel normal again. But it will show it's ugly face from time to time( panic attacks)

[punkster]

Hang in there! In addition to the meds, use the items in your toolbox religiously. Anxiety is a beast, but it can be tamed with the right meds, and with the techniques we learn in therapy. Like others have said, we can't see what is going on in other people. There are many people out there who suffer from anxiety, so know you are not alone!

[Tortugita007 in reply to punkster]

Hi, finally able to log back in. Thank you for kind and encouraging words. I’m on a new med 5 weeks already, plus have a new, consistent therapist. The struggle with anxiety and depression is daunting. I hope to get back to some kind of normal…soon. How are you doing?