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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 17:47:19
This is one of those things where about six things came together, and I'm at the nexus...
So I was thinking about the whole "kindling" theory, which totally fits my anxiety situation right now -- the specific triggers for my current anxiety are long standing, and as soon as they come up BOOM! Floods of adrenaline, etc. The psychological aspects of it all I can usually deal with, but the physical stuff sends me reeling. Propranalol -- my "miracle drug" -- was discontinued some time ago, because I was so very, very unable to initiate any productive movements on it. (Think of me, trying to get off the Soporific Sofa, in very, very slow motion...)
One of the biggest problems, though, is that my whole anxiety system seems to be on a hair trigger, and it doesn't go through all the gears on its way up to High. Hell, my anxiety goes up to 11 now, instead of making 10 higher, you know? And it takes about a quarter of a second to go from idle to 11 on that scale, too. There's no real period of mild anxiety -- just all or nothing. And it takes small things to do it.
Mind you, I'm pretty well unaware of any real mental problems with it, and feel as though whatever the triggers were I could deal with if only the physical side could be controlled. It's as if my body is so sensitized to stress that it produces adrenaline full blast at the first sign of stressors.
In my own, not entirely humble, opinion -- to which you are ALL entitled -- I think that it's a case of kindling, where my body hasn't yet gotten back to normal functioning after that nightmare that was 2004. Propranalol ain't gonna be the answer, especially since I'm pretty sure Dr CattleProd won't prescribe it again. Benzos don't do it for me, because I fight off their effects when I have this stress reaction -- and because I go into blackouts on them at high enough doses, which are still not high enough to calm me physically. Anti-psychotics are only possible if there's no chance whatsoever of any weight gain -- they were offered, Dr CattleProd saying, "Oh, at the doses involved you wouldn't gain more than five pounds" but hey folks, five pounds is an issue for an anorexic, you know?
So, suggestion, suggestion, who's got a suggestion?
And does anyone know of any research into how to reset the whole anxiety/HPA axis after it's been assaulted this way?
Posted by ed_uk on March 26, 2005, at 17:52:16
In reply to Kindling and anxiety, any suggestions?, posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 17:47:19
Hello,
>propranolol...
Have you tried oxprenolol or nadolol?
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by lunesta on March 26, 2005, at 18:11:36
In reply to Kindling and anxiety, any suggestions?, posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 17:47:19
I rec. Lyrica or Neurontin.
Posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 19:06:14
In reply to Re: Kindling and anxiety, any suggestions? » Racer, posted by lunesta on March 26, 2005, at 18:11:36
I don't know how to answer you because I'm in a similar place.
I almost posted 2 hours ago when my anxiety just about went into panic attack state.
For me, I start to think I can't breathe good, that my throat is closing shut. I feel like I have a lump in my throat and it won't go down. Then I start to freak out because I focus on that and feel like I can't swallow; and thus the spiral begins.
And then, my mind races and I start thinking, " well maybe I'm having an allergic reaction this time and my throat really is closing, etc."
It is so pathetic and sometimes I can rationalize myself out of this state, other times I Just completely wig out and think " this is it for me, stick me back in the hospital."
When I have this overwhelming anxiety, I think that it is waaaay worse than any depression. Then when I get flung into that deep depression, I think " I wish it was just anxiety."
I don't think there is a quick fix. Some medicine helps some people, others make them worse.
I am currently titrating up on Lamictal because I can't take any AD's without my anxiety and depression getting 100 times worse.
Sleep seems to be the only medication that calms my anxiety down. It's sad to say but it's the truth.
Posted by sabre on March 26, 2005, at 19:23:33
In reply to Kindling and anxiety, any suggestions?, posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 17:47:19
Hi Racer
I know what you mean. I find anxiety (mainly social) the same. It's all or nothing. Propranolol squashes it but to the point of leaving you flattened with zombifying fatigue.
The trouble is if you keep avoiding the stressors life can get a bit dull which then becomes stressful.
Exercise can help. I think aerobic ex works better than anaerobic.
If the HPA axis has been set too high in your childhood can you fix it?
sabre
Posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 19:28:47
In reply to Re: Kindling and anxiety, any suggestions?, posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 19:06:14
Actually, I think that's different, because in my case I get the physical symptoms -- tightness in my throat and chest, increased heart rate, etc -- but I know it's just a physical manifestation of anxiety and I don't actually think about it. But it makes it really hard to function, and if it goes on long enough I get a migraine -- which is what triggered this post in the first place.
It's yucky, but it really is physical and not cognitive. Cognitively, I'm still pretty well able to think and function, although it certainly makes it harder to get things done. And I get tired much more easily in this state.
Thanks, though.
Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2005, at 21:04:10
In reply to Re: Kindling and anxiety, any suggestions? » Spriggy, posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 19:28:47
Sleep.Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by rachel sarah on March 29, 2005, at 9:01:59
In reply to Kindling and anxiety, any suggestions?, posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 17:47:19
Hi,
I have GAD so I get into those really anxious states where your mind is facing and you feel totally out of controll. It is horrible and you think it is never going to end. I don't really get depressed much, only as a result of my panic and anxiety.
I think I have had it all my life because I remeber being just the same as a child and never not worrying about things. But when I took drugs (illegal ones) it got way worse. I find effexor is really good for anxiety, it has made me feel better than I have ever felt in my life. I am on 150 mgs. But also Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is so good for anxiety in the long term. It teaches you to manage your anxiety and works on situations that make you feel really anxious, for me that is mainly social situations.
I used to get those thoughts racing through my head all the time and that state of anxiety would sometimes last for a week or so, before it would decrease. It was horrible, but the CBT has helped so much. I also find vigerous excercise makes you feel more relaxed, especially after. Also try giving up caffinee for a week, I don't drink any at all now as it makes thoughts race through my head which i hate.
good luck with it, but the best med for me has been effexor, have also tried zoloft, make me feel worse and citalipram, made me put on loads of weight.
Rachel Sarah
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