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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 Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
I just can't get my mind to let me relax. I think I should always have somewhere to go or something to do. Can't concentrate to read a book or anything. What's wrong with me. Thanks, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on January 1, 2006, at 15:22:24
In reply to What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
There are a lot of things you can do to combat that, Phillipa, but they're not medications. That sort of thing, while you can sedate yourself out of the worst of it, you really have to approach from a behavioral angle. Work on learning stress reduction techniques, learning to calm yourself before it gets too bad, etc.
That's where a good therapist is probably your first and best bet.
Good luck.
Posted by blueberry on January 1, 2006, at 15:41:41
In reply to What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
So sorry Phillipa. That's so uncomfortable. To me it is just as bad or worse than depression when I've felt that way.
Have you started cymbalta yet? Is that causing it? If so, maybe reduce the dose, or wait it out. But really, you shouldn't have to suffer that kind of stuff.
You already know what the medication options are for either short term or long term relief...benzodiazepines or antipsychotics. I know you don't want to go that route and I wouldn't either, though I keep xanax on hand for emergencies.
Behavioral techniques could help. But from people I've talked to that have done that, they don't really fix the problem, they just allow to cope with the problem more comfortably.
Natural options exist at the health food store. I found that GABA supplements by themselves do absolutely squat. Nothing. But they have some mixtures that actually work pretty well. There is a sublingual GabaCalm that has gaba, taurine, and glycine. There are other brands that have these also with inositol added. When I was suffering from intense anxiety or akathisia or mania, whatever it was, I found magnesium glycinate worked wonders, even in miniscule doses far below the RDA. It wasn't a permanent fix, but it definitely got me through some real scary times and allowed me to cut my xanax dose in half immediately and wean off of it completely in just one week with no problem.
Some people who treat themselves naturally for bipolar or anxiety use just taurine supplements. That girl in Superman treats herself that way instead of using prescription meds.
Along the calming magnesium route, try a warm bath with lots of epsom salts in the water...the magnesium will absorb through the skin and calm things down, not to mention the temporary help of a warm soothing bath.
Hang in there! Just some thoughts to ponder.
Posted by spriggy on January 1, 2006, at 17:13:45
In reply to Re: What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing » Phillipa, posted by blueberry on January 1, 2006, at 15:41:41
I get that way too Jan..
It's just awful. What I do is mentally talk in my head very slowly- I know that sounds dumb but it does help me.
I feel like my thoughts are running around in circles going 100 mph- so I say to myself (very sloooowly)... " CAAAAAALLLLMMMM DDOOOOOWNNN... THIIIINKKK SLLOOOOOOWLY."
Then I practice deep breathing for 5-10 minutes- this is also helps.I also will take a warm bath with Epsom Salt. It seems to work as well.
If all else fails, I take Xanex or Klonopin and crawl into bed. LOL
Posted by sm100378 on January 1, 2006, at 17:22:47
In reply to What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
I have found that Effexor XL has helped me tremendously. I started feeling the effect the first day I took it, and I am only on 37.5mg. I hear about these "freak stories" but I dont believe them to be true, except for some sexual side effects.
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 17:38:07
In reply to That's called 'Anxiety' » Phillipa, posted by Racer on January 1, 2006, at 15:22:24
Racer I know. That was the first thing I thought this new pdoc would do. Set me up with a therapist immediately. It is a large group. Google www.eastoverpsych.com. Instead Wallace orders psych testing. And not until the llth of the month. And of course you know about the high dose cymbalta. Of course I'm anxious about that too. Thanks Racer are you doing better? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 17:47:09
In reply to Re: What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing » Phillipa, posted by blueberry on January 1, 2006, at 15:41:41
Blueberry I take Gaba 750mg, taurine,500mg, magnesium citrate, omega 3, and CA MG too. The only thing that knows out the racing is 5mg valium at bedtime and an additional 5mg when I awaken in the middle of the night. The other problem is that all this mind racing tires me out so even the Bvitamin complex I take doesn't do the trick. I'm not sure if the cymbalta is also making me tired. But knowing I'm getting enough sleep and having this feeling of racing mind along with feeling tired escalates it even more. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on January 1, 2006, at 20:17:27
In reply to Re: That's called 'Anxiety' » Racer, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 17:38:07
I know, that seems so obvious, but I know that sometimes I'm afraid to ask for what I want, so it seemed worth asking.
Good luck. I forget, have you tried Effexor? That did help with my anxiety when I took it.
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 21:08:22
In reply to Did you tell him that you wanted a T? » Phillipa, posted by Racer on January 1, 2006, at 20:17:27
Racer I didn't even get a chance. It was the Thursday before Christmas and late so he was behind and he rushed me in and out before I could even think of it. What an idiot I am! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on January 1, 2006, at 22:07:47
In reply to What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
> I just can't get my mind to let me relax. I think I should always have somewhere to go or something to do. Can't concentrate to read a book or anything. What's wrong with me. Thanks, Phillipa
Phillipa,
I'm sorry you're feeling so bad right now. When I was on Prozac my whole life was like that. And for the last year I had periods like that too. My Klonopin really helps some but it also helps if I can distract myself with something menial. Laundry, dishes, going for a walk. Writing down what I'm scared of. Sometimes just getting it down on paper can take some of it away. Do you take your Valium during the day when this happens or only at night?
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 22:22:19
In reply to Re: What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing » Phillipa, posted by 4WD on January 1, 2006, at 22:07:47
Marsha I only take it at night. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on January 2, 2006, at 1:09:22
In reply to Re: What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing » 4WD, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 22:22:19
hard to do, it takes concentration and relentless effort.
Posted by yxibow on January 2, 2006, at 5:31:51
In reply to What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
> I just can't get my mind to let me relax. I think I should always have somewhere to go or something to do. Can't concentrate to read a book or anything. What's wrong with me. Thanks, Phillipa
Well my mind tends to race especially when my metabolism is up, like while excercising. For me, its a form of my OCD -- its rather annoying and not solved by medicine, at least not the significant Valium and Cymbalta dose at the moment.
Sometimes some forms of "mental garbage" type of OCD aren't really completely solvable. And the more one pays attention to the aggravating words or thoughts, the more it grabs hold. Relaxation therapy is one form of letting go of the thoughts by replacing them with something else. It may sound psychobabbly but psychologists can personalize you a tape (or CD) with a reassuring voice using guiding therapy, imagining oneself on a floating cloud, or a green meadow, or something that pleases you, and slowly counting down into a pseudo-hypnotic state, and returning back to the present.
I use these when my visual disorder is at its most disastrous moments.
Another thing to think about, and I don't mean to suggest medicating into oblivion, but 5mg of Valium is a very small dose, but you may metabolize differently. 1mg of Ativan is probably more of an immediate drug that can be taken at those occasional moments when things are really off key. (consistently would accustome one too much to the Ativan.)
Hope you can have a clearer mind.
cheers
Posted by fires on January 2, 2006, at 21:35:37
In reply to What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
> I just can't get my mind to let me relax. I think I should always have somewhere to go or something to do. Can't concentrate to read a book or anything. What's wrong with me. Thanks, Phillipa
I do better with paradoxical approaches: more sensory input. I watch TV or turn on a radio. When your thoughts are racing, or when you are experiencing intrusive thoughts, try talking to someone. It's intresting that while talking, most people note a decrease in the above. A witchdoctor (oops, a therapist) told me about the technique.
I don't know if talking to oneself helps - you never know. ;) Also, I mentioned before that I have periods during which earworms really bother me. Lamictal seems to have helped a lot with those.
The ultimate paradoxical approach would be to try to make your thoughts race even faster! I wouldn't suggest this approach without seeking professional advice first. (I have heard about some improving their insomnia by trying not to fall asleep -- not with physical activity but with mental activity. It apparently reduces the worry and the rumination, which makes insomnia even worse).
Posted by RobertDavid on January 3, 2006, at 1:30:41
In reply to What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2006, at 14:08:57
I have the same problem at times. Like a catch 22 for me. The klonopin I take helps for the anxiety, but I still have a racing mind at times. Seems a mild stimulant like a small amount of provigil even as low as 25 mgs helps settle me. That would suggest a possible ADD or ADHD link. Just a thought.
Posted by ghostshadow on January 3, 2006, at 20:52:36
In reply to Re: What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing » Phillipa, posted by RobertDavid on January 3, 2006, at 1:30:41
if i'm awake, trying to relax but can't concentrate to read i do crossword puzzles. reading a lot has done wonders for my vocabulary! if i'm trying to sleep i do mantras...
Posted by Festus on January 8, 2006, at 1:09:40
In reply to Re: What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by ghostshadow on January 3, 2006, at 20:52:36
B.B., It looks like you have gotten several tips and some new info to check out.I was wondering if the ADD/ADHD possibility was gonna appear,RD saw to that.Have you seen your GP? There are simply too many "What if's" to this, could be Hyperthyroidism or some Endocrine System glitch,maybe you lack certain Enzymes,there's just too many.If you can,write a log or diary just for these symptoms,when and how they occur,etc.This will help a lot in a proper Medical diagnosis,if it comes to that.Please don't take any anti-anxiety or sleeping pills until you see the doc.It may be something simpler to fix than you maight think,so don't worry and make an app. Monday.Good-Luck! Festus
Posted by fires on January 8, 2006, at 10:03:28
In reply to Re: What Do You Do If Your Mind Won't Quit Racing, posted by Festus on January 8, 2006, at 1:09:40
> maybe you lack certain Enzymes,there's just too many.<
I've never heard of this. What enzymes ?
Thanks
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