My anxiety has gotten worse. My limbs hurt, headache bad bad (spikes going through my head pain), heartburn, stomach. Just got insurence about a month ago. Seen a therapist but at Kaiser you can only see them about once a month. I am scared that I am dying... the doctors have only done blood work(which is within range... blood count, liver, kidneys & thyriod okay), but I am still in pain. They wouldn't do anything... need a primary doctor. Picked one last week but she can't see me until next Fri. Saw someone last Fri. left leg hurts real bad... she looked at my chart said it's stress didn't even check me out... nurse took my vitals pulse rate 119... told by nurse that's high doctor didn't care... I am scared... I have no idea if any of this is normal... and so far have been dismissed... Is this typical?
It took me a long (LONG) time to find resources for my anxiety issues. I still suffer...greatly. It's been pretty bad lately (fear, shaking, not wanting to leave my house, nauseated--all the time). I am on Cymbalta and Xanax. I try not to take the Xanax and really don't unless it's extreme. I don't want to become addicted or build up a tolerance to it. The Cymbalta has made a huge difference and because I make so little money, I am able to get the medication for free (it's part of the Lily Cares program). I think, for me, a med check is in order, but I can't afford to go to the Dr. right now. I do not have insurance. I have nightmares almost every night and wake up sweating (sometimes several times a night). I know what's "triggered" me and I think that helps a lot. I journal--sometimes simply to distract myself. The problem, I've found, with anxiety and panic is that my mind loops--it won't stop...I have found that distraction is a key component. There are hotlines that you can call, when you cannot see your therapist. It seems to me that you really have to be your own advocate and research the disorder, which is hard when you are frozen into non-movement during attacks...non-movement, non-thinking...just frozen. Some days are better than others, though, and it's on those days that you have to do the research...call mental health hotlines and start the conversation with, "I'm stuttering because I am nervous, I can't think, I have anxiety disorder and am seeking help." If that one can't help you, call the family doctor or therapist and ask them for additional resources--it is not their jobs to merely medicate you. I don't know if this helps you, or anyone else, but it's really all I have to offer right now. As I said, I'm having my own issues today (though today is better than yesterday).
Thank you for your reply. My therapist had me go to a couple of classes one an overview on depression, overview on anxiety & mind/body class. The anxiety one was a big help 'cause we learned how anxiety can effect your body... alot of what's happening to me. I was raped as a child, had a rape kit done by male doctors. So doctors are a big trigger for me, especially needles... I've had panic attacks from visiting people in the hostiple. This all got stirred 'cause of my friend abusive marriage... my dad was an abuser to our family... Yuck this is hard... I am on celexa right now.
Lissa
Please do not hate me for saying this, but one thing that is helpful is to learn detachment and self-talk. Your friend's abusvie marriage may have started this off, but it's not your burden to carry. To worry about her, of course, to think back to your past, natural. I just hope you're not "taking on" her feelings because that (seems to me) could set you back big time. I used to think the suggestion of detachment was a very cold-hearted approach, but I realized that if I didn't, it was going to destroy me. A friend of mine, who is a therapist, taught me about detachment on a pyschological basis. Maybe it would help you to visit his site: http://www.deviantcrimes.com
I will visit the site later. It's fine... my therapist said the same thing basically. It triggered something in my brain though. Then the bad heartburn started, which 'cause me to think I am dying... & then the bad anxiety. And the cycle begins. All my muscles are tense... some which are scaring me ... like my stomach to my knees are in pain (scared that there's cancer) & my head the whole thing hurts. I am trying to tell myself this is what anxiety does... but the anxiety always wins. I have a doctors appt. next week, well two. One for my headaches & other is a full pyhs.
My friend & I have token a step back... it's hard. But she has her stuff to deal with & I have to get better. Hope you are well
Lissa
I will visit the site later. It's fine... my therapist said the same thing basically. It triggered something in my brain though. Then the bad heartburn started, which 'cause me to think I am dying... & then the bad anxiety. And the cycle begins. All my muscles are tense... some which are scaring me ... like my stomach to my knees are in pain (scared that there's cancer) & my head the whole thing hurts. I am trying to tell myself this is what anxiety does... but the anxiety always wins. I have a doctors appt. next week, well two. One for my headaches & other is a full pyhs.
My friend & I have token a step back... it's hard. But she has her stuff to deal with & I have to get better. Hope you are well
Lissa