anxiety and meds?

Sorry this is so long!
So I have been dealing with anxiety for about 16 years. I have never been officially diagnosed with anxiety, but it all started after a major anxiety attack in college. Anyway, I just deal with my anxiety and try to relax myself when I become anxious. But I was sick two weeks ago and went to the dr. with a fever, sinus infection and strep throat, when they took my BP it was 130/90, but I told them about my anxiety (which is bad at drs) and then the dr. came in and was listening to my chest and said my heart was beating way too fast and she was worried even though I told her about the anxiety, so she does an EKG(which REALLY freaked me out) and my pulse was 124. She wanted me to come back in a week to do a repeat since it could of been high since I was so sick. Went back last week, still high, 112, and BP was slightly elevated too. So she thought I had tachycardia and sent me to a cardiologist. So I went today, and nearly passed out in the exam room because I was freaking myself out. Everything was still elevated but heart looked fine. He wants me to go on anxiety meds. So my question is, do you take anxiety meds everyday even though your anxiety is only really in certain situations? Or can you just take meds when you think you might get anxious like dr. appts?
My anxiety surfaces whenever I am the center of attention, like interviews, public speaking, dr offices, and major confrontations. So on a normal day I really don't have much anxiety...

Thanks for reading if you got this far!!

Re: anxiety and meds?

I take Effexor which has been wonderful! I take 37.5mg and upped it 75mg, but the higher dose was disrupting my sleep really bad. It has taken the edge off my anxiety tremendously and I feel more confident and able to handle difficult situations. I had a major anxiety attack that brought on taking the meds, and I'm really glad I started them. I take it daily and it helps so much

Re: anxiety and meds?

I take xanax on an as needed basis, which is usually if I'm having an anxiety attack or flying.

Don't know if you're interested or not, but I also started practicing yoga and it has helped me tremendously. I find myself doing my yoga breathing when I start to get anxious and it's almost become second nature to the extent that I don't even realize I'm doing it. There are some poses and deep breathing exercises that can really calm you down. It's amazing.

Sorry that you're going through this, but it will get better

Re: anxiety and meds?

I would recommend some therapy and meds.

I think you could use both.

I'm not on meds anymore but continue my therapy.

I was on Lexapro and Zoloft. I call them my I don't give a crap pills. Best invention.

Sometimes I feel that I could still use them but I'm working on that behavioral and cognitive aspect more and I find that I have retrained myself in some of my "anxiety" thinking.

I liked Zoloft more than Lexapro. I fought taking it for a few months after it was prescribed and then decided I had nothing to lose.

It helped tremendously but I really think therapy along with the meds did a more complete job.

Re: anxiety and meds?

I was on Lexapro for a while... actually mostly for my IBS because its related to stress so it helped with the stress/anxiety causing my IBS attacks.
I would give it a try. I never felt numb or anything, but its amazing how less tense and nervous I was on them and it actually did help my IBS for the time!

Re: anxiety and meds?

Have you ever seen a therapist (specifically one who focuses on cognitave behavior?) I wouldn't resort to meds just yet. I would only take them if someone who specializes in anxiety tells you to. My regular doctor wrote me a prescription for it, but I never took it and decided to speak with a therapist because I wanted to try to tackle it without it first. It took YEARS for me to buckle down and get help and it has made the world of difference. I was pretty hard headed and thought I would be stuck with this forever....and its not true. I am learning to cope and deal with it...and even beat it. Good luck!

Re: anxiety and meds?

I have anxiety and have used Celexa which I found to be VERY helpful.

Did either doctor do tests to see if you had a medical condition that could cause high blood pressure and fast heart rate? Like overactive thyroid? Sometimes people are quick to blame anxiety (which can cause fast heartbeat) but make sure it isn't a medical problem.

That said, Celexa and cognitive behavioral therapy have been very helpful for me.

Re: anxiety and meds?

I was on Zoloft and Cymbalta for anxiety and they wreaked havoc on my body. I've been in therapy for a year and a half and it has helped. I also took yoga before getting pregnant and that helped as well.

Re: anxiety and meds?

I am also on Lexapro, and it has been my savior.

Re: anxiety and meds?

I have almost the exact same story. FM me if you want.

Re: anxiety and meds?

feel better

Re: anxiety and meds?

There are different kinds of anxiety meds. There are the types you take every day, like Cymbalta, Effexor, Paxil, etc. Then there are the types you can take as needed, like Klonopin, Valium, Xanax, etc. I recommend the latter if you only have occasional anxiety, because getting off the first set is a nightmare.

Re: anxiety and meds?

I'm on lexapro and prozac for anxiety and it has done wonders.

Re: anxiety and meds?

I take lexapro 20mg and love it...when not pregnant I also have a script for ativan for really high anxiety situations...

Re: anxiety and meds?

i went through something similar about 2 years ago - my health was really messed up and worrying about it made me have anxiety attacks and in a vicious cycle made my health worse. my dr gave me .25mg xanax to take on an as-needed basis but felt that it didn't really do anything for me. i am best "talking myself down" when i feel panic coming on.

Message edited 4/19/2011 1:38:46 AM.

Re: anxiety and meds?

Lexapro is the best!

Re: anxiety and meds?

Lexapro and xanax as needed, does the trick for me. I tried relaxation techniques, etc. but that did nothing for me.

Re: anxiety and meds?

I have really bad anxiety..... After having my DD I suffered from PPD so I went on Lexapro and that was GREAT!! WHen I decided i didnt want to take pills anymore I was given Xanex on a need to take basis. My problem now is that I am embaressed to be on pills daily because I do not want anyone to think differently of me ( I KNOW that shouldnt matter, because i know there is nothing wrong with it but thats me). I mainly get my anxiety at night so i sometimes try to just breathe and talk my way out of it or I will take a Xanex and just go to sleep.

Lexapro was great though!

Good LUck to you, I know what you are going through and know its not always eay.

....

Message edited 3/6/2013 10:24:55 PM.

Re: anxiety and meds?

Last year I took Xanax - a 1mg time released, everyday. It took the edge off and I was able to function without feeling drowsy or run down.


Feel better!