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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:01:35
I was wondering if anyone else is physically ill because of their anxiety. I actually get so worked up that I throw up...sorry, I know that's gross. My stomach hurts CONSTANTLY. I feel like I have butterflies all the time. Anyone else like this, or am I just a freak?
thatgirl
Posted by kkat on June 13, 2003, at 10:10:45
In reply to Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:01:35
> I was wondering if anyone else is physically ill because of their anxiety. I actually get so worked up that I throw up...sorry, I know that's gross. My stomach hurts CONSTANTLY. I feel like I have butterflies all the time. Anyone else like this, or am I just a freak?
>
> thatgirlIt doesn't surprise me. When I get anxiety, I have physical symptoms like my back hurts or I think something is seriously wrong. I think it's quite common to have physical symptoms. Your not a freak. It's amazing what anxiety can do. Are you on any meds to help with your anxiety?
Posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:28:57
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by kkat on June 13, 2003, at 10:10:45
well I used to take celexa and I did fine with it, but I havent taken it for about a year. Then my doc gave me a new 'miracle' drug called lexapro and I had very bad side effects and couldnt take it. I start the celexa again today, but to tell you the truth, I'm kind of scared of the side effects that may or may not happen. I am so tired of being sick all the time, and not being able to do stuff like a normal person. My doc said my physical symptoms wont go away until i take care of the anxiety.
Posted by Aeia on June 13, 2003, at 10:54:20
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:28:57
I get sick from anxiety too. I feel like that kid off southpark who throws up when somehting upsets him. I was on Paxil for that and depression, came off and have become anxious and depressed again. I'm now trying Lexapro. Tried 10mg but it sent my anxiety through the roof. Just taken 5mg for the last couple of days and my anxiety is still high. I'm hoping that it will calm down over the weekend so I can go to work on Monday. I couldnt face work yesterday or today. I also got some diazepam which I'm trying to take only when I need them.
Very anxious at the moment, my boyfriend is coming down tonight. I know he's fed up with me going on about depression and I know I'm not being the best girlfriend. He's even said lets give it a month then maybe we should just be friends. This scares the hell out of me at the moment as a breakup is the last thing I feel I can cope with. It was a breakup this time last year that toppled me into depression. Although I now know the anxiety was already there. He doesnt understand depression as he's so laid back about life.
Sorry ranting..
Posted by tm on June 13, 2003, at 12:14:53
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:28:57
Yes I fought with nausea off and on for 3 months. I never actually threw-up I just felt like I wanted to. I still would get hungry, but I could only force my self to eat about half. My appetite came back a week ago and I am doing better. I'm on Lex, but my problem started before that. Hope you feel better soon. good luck! Tim
Posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 12:27:25
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Aeia on June 13, 2003, at 10:54:20
Aeia,
Are we the same person?! It's just that everything you just said, I have been through. My depression was first triggered by a bad breakup as well. It was horrible, I thought I would never get through it. My husband is also clueless to what depression is and what it feels like. I don't think you can explain the feeling to someone who has never truly been depressed. He is also very laid back. He said I need an aromatherapy candle and a warm bath to relieve my anxiety. I was like, don't you get it? An aromatherapy candle? Are you kidding me? I just don't think they understand what it is like. It is hard to comprehend feeling so helpless and depressed, not sad, but depressed. I am so glad to talk to you, I feel better already.
Posted by kinsey on June 13, 2003, at 12:38:56
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by kkat on June 13, 2003, at 10:10:45
you are absolutely normal in this respect. i shake, sweat and also become nauseous. it's amazing what our emotions can do to our body, isn't it? Good luck to you, i know where you are coming from. kinsey
Posted by Aeia on June 13, 2003, at 12:50:39
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 12:27:25
I'm just worried I'll drive my boyfriend away. I think he's trying to be understanding but I know it must be hard when he doesnt know what its like. He says things like just chill out.. if only I could!
He's coming down tonight and we're going out. I feel anxious about it. I dont want to be a misery tonight but going back on the meds has been a big and not my happiest decision. I'm trying to put the decision behind me though. Its decided and I should stick with it. I know a few friends that dont think I should, but funnily enough they're the one's who have never suffered. My friends that have say its most likely for the best.
Talking to others definitely helps.
Posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 13:43:57
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Aeia on June 13, 2003, at 12:50:39
> I'm just worried I'll drive my boyfriend away. I think he's trying to be understanding but I know it must be hard when he doesnt know what its like. He says things like just chill out.. if only I could!
>
> He's coming down tonight and we're going out. I feel anxious about it. I dont want to be a misery tonight but going back on the meds has been a big and not my happiest decision. I'm trying to put the decision behind me though. Its decided and I should stick with it. I know a few friends that dont think I should, but funnily enough they're the one's who have never suffered. My friends that have say its most likely for the best.
>
> Talking to others definitely helps.
If he really loves you then you are not going to drive him away. If you really want to try and make him understand what is wrong with you then show him this site tonight. Show him that there are many people out here like you, and depression is real and we are real people who need help dealing with this disorder. We are here to support each other and not to judge and until he has walked in your shoes, he has no room to talk. If he has a problem with your taking meds, then it is his problem. I would rather take meds to help me than to end up with slit wrists somewhere down the road. I hope I have helped you in some way. Hang in there. Someone once told me in a bout of depression that "This too shall pass". I live by those words now, and I hope that they will help you.
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 13, 2003, at 14:41:35
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 13:43:57
Any boyfriend that can't be understanding about what you are going thru is definately not a candidate for the future promise of "loving each other in sickness and in health". Sometimes a jerk boyfriend is a crutch because we would rather take the known evil, than face the unknown.. which is being alone again. If he complains, be selfish and take this time for you. Heal thyself, and then find yourself a gem of a man who will care.
Good luck,
Kim
Posted by Rainee on June 13, 2003, at 15:04:30
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by KimberlyDi on June 13, 2003, at 14:41:35
Read "Hope and Help for your nerves by Dr Claire Weeks" she is a God send.. YOu are not alone!
Posted by Paulie on June 13, 2003, at 15:07:22
In reply to Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:01:35
Yes, anxiety can make you sick. I was on (Valium) diazepam every day for about 6 years. Never got addicted to it, stopped taking it by reducing dose over a period of only one week. I was on 15-20mg/day. My pdoc told me that if I needed it he would prescribe the max of 40mg but I never needed that much. I glad this guy was not a benzo-phobe. I was also on a TCA antidepressant at that time. For anxiety symptoms, nothing in my book beats an anti-anxiety med. Antidepressants are helpful for depression, but my experience has been that they tend to increase anxiety. For anxiety/depression an antidepressant in combo with an anti-anxiety med can be most beneficial.
Just my experience,
Paul
Posted by babs on June 13, 2003, at 16:21:12
In reply to Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:01:35
ThatGirl- I am the exact same way. When I am anxious I am nauseous, gaggy, throw up and can't eat. In fact I just went through a bout of it last week as i was switching meds and it was horrible- I lost 8 pounds in a week. Luckily the klonopin has kicked in and my nausea is almost under control and I am almost eating normal again. It's amazing but I "feel" my depression nd anxiety in my stomach quite a bit. I'm finding that the klonopin, now that it has kicked in, has helped a lot. I still have a little bit of nausea in the a.m. and some gagging but the throwing up has stopped. You are definitely not a freak in this regard.
Posted by thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 18:03:13
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by KimberlyDi on June 13, 2003, at 14:41:35
> Any boyfriend that can't be understanding about what you are going thru is definately not a candidate for the future promise of "loving each other in sickness and in health". Sometimes a jerk boyfriend is a crutch because we would rather take the known evil, than face the unknown.. which is being alone again. If he complains, be selfish and take this time for you. Heal thyself, and then find yourself a gem of a man who will care.
> Good luck,
> KimI totally agree with you. I know from experience that you have to be well for yourself before anyone else. You have to be happy for you, not him. If you are constantly worried about what he will think, then you are fighting a dead end battle. Do this for yourself, no one else. Your significant other should make you a better person than you already are...he should not cause you heartache, ever.
Posted by avid abulia on June 13, 2003, at 22:00:53
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 18:03:13
i tic hella worse, most of the time, when anxious... not really any nauseated feelings, though... and sometimes, getting anxious helps me in some ways (probably very difficult for any of you to understand, i know).
and i guess if you count stabbing myself as a physical problem (try looking at a calf impaled on a knitting needle and tell me it isn`t), then yes, anxiety has sometimes caused very physical symptoms in me.
i used to be an EMT/clerk in an ER, before it was realized that i was only certified EMT by accident (you must have a valid drivers license, which i overlooked upon beginning the training and the people that decide if you get certed or not didn`t notice until later)... and i saw some very sick people come in who were *only* having anxiety attacks. physical manifestations are quite common for anxiety.
~AA
Posted by Viridis on June 14, 2003, at 4:32:29
In reply to Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by Thatgirl on June 13, 2003, at 10:01:35
Physical reactions to anxiety are common, and it's also common for doctors to prescribe antidepressants like Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, etc. for anxiety, even though they just make things worse for some people (like me).
I'd strongly recommend that you try benzodiazepines. Klonopin (clonazepam) is wonderful for anxiety, and once you get past the initial, sedating side effects (which usually wear off quickly), you might be surprised at the improvement.
The main problem is that many doctors avoid benzos (especially Xanax, which is especially effective), with no good reason. So, you need to find one (preferably a psychiatrist) who's willing to try this class of meds. Once you do, I suspect you'll feel much better. Benzos do tend to cause dependency (which means that if you choose to discontinue them, you have to do so gradually), but this is true of most antidepressants too, often even more so.
Try Klonopin or Xanax, and my guess is that you'll see a great improvement.
Good luck!
Posted by pseudonym on June 17, 2003, at 11:58:15
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety? » Thatgirl, posted by Viridis on June 14, 2003, at 4:32:29
I know that pregabalin is coming out soon in Europe, and it compares well to the benzos, without known withdrawal issues. If you are willing to wait for this drug, it may be better for you long term.I suggest you don't try benzos, unless you are willing to stay on them for a long time, and to taper off them very slowly. Why? It is universally acknowledged that benzos cause dependency, which manifiests itself on withdrawal by an anxiety far worse then your original anxiety, as well as hyper-vigilance and somatic symptoms, such as random muscle spasms. You can get hooked in as little as four weeks, so if you do decide to use them, never go cold turkey.
An interesting article regarding benzo's from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry mentions the phenomenon of kindling, which is to say, withdrawal from benzos becomes worse as withdrawal episodes grow in number. Then there's the issue of memory, which is hampered by benzos, but usually a side effect not of great concern to anxiety sufferers.
Posted by Viridis on June 17, 2003, at 20:06:21
In reply to Re: Anyone sick from their anxiety?, posted by pseudonym on June 17, 2003, at 11:58:15
There's no question that benzos can induce dependency, but so do all sorts of other drugs, especially many of the newer antidepressants. It's not at all clear that the anxiety after discontinuing a benzo is any worse than that before; my pdoc says he suspects that people just forget how awful they felt before going on benzos, so if they discontinue, the return to anxiety seems terrible.
Benzos have an excellent track record for safety and effectiveness, and taper schedules for discontinuation are well established, even if tedious. I wouldn't dismiss them (especially Klonopin) out of hand, because they can be life-changing meds, in my experience and that of many others.
Pregabalin looks very promising but frankly, any drug that offers major anxiety relief seems likely to me to have a "withdrawal syndrome" associated with it -- if you have major anxiety, get relief, and then go off the med, it's bound to have an effect. It took years before the withdrawal associated with widely-prescribed ADs was recognized, and now these rank as the hardest of all prescription drugs to get off of.
This is the end of the thread.
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