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need some help dealing with anxiety

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

i been diagnosed with labyrintitis in March and its been four months of hell-inner ear inflammation) (. seems like its slowly getting better but its been the hardest thing i ever had to deal with. As a result i became very anxious and have hard time functioning. My doctor suggested anti anxiety meds-she gave me Xanax but its really makes you drowsy.

I dont know if anyone on here been treated for anxiety but does anyone has recs for what medication helped them?

Thanks a bunch

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20 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

Peri

Veteran

I haven't tried it, but a friend takes 1/4 of a Xanax when she is feeling anxious. She says it takes the edge off enough to help, but without making her feel drowsy. She is very sensitive to meds...maybe you are too. You could try 1/4 or 1/2 since it is already prescribed, and see how that makes you feel. Lately I've really wanted to try this, but I don't have any!

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I have the smallest dose ever 0.25 mg. I tried half and it works but only for short time. Full pill makes me drowsy:(

Sal

Veteran

That sounds miserable.

My only suggestion from person experience for anxiety is breathing exercises, I saw a breathing physio and it was wonderful for me. She also did Feldenkrais which assisted greatly. Feel free to PM me if you want more information.

tulle

Veteran

I'm sorry to hear about your ear problems and anxiety, Victoria. I don't know whether you are open to the idea of herbal medicines, but I can tell you that tincture of Motherwort (Leonurus Cardiaca, a member of the Mint family) is a remarkably mild and effective help for anxiety. I tincture my own from plants I grow, but it is available online (Red Moon Herbs and Mountain Rose Herbs are two sources I trust.) Motherwort can be taken as needed for nervousness and insomnia, but it creates calm, not drowsiness, and as its Latin name suggests, it strengthens the heart as well. Tinctures are made by infusing the herb in alchohol. Motherwort tincture is taken by the dropperful in a little water, or under the tongue, whenever tension, stress, & worry feel overwhelming. Good luck!

Ariadne

Veteran

Omega-3s in the correct dose can help with mild anxiety, I think. Oil of lavender also works for some people (available in capsules at the health food store).

Mindfulness meditation (mindfulness specifically, not just any type of meditation), therapy, and exercise can REALLY help if you have the capacity to start and maintain them. I love the Headspace app for meditation.

I'll message you, too.

Astrid

Veteran

I vote against medication if not absolutely necessary. I wrote you a PM.

viva

Veteran

If you have time for yoga, I would recommend it, especially Yin Yoga, in which you hold poses for several minutes. I find it really helpful in managing stress and anxiety -- both in the moment and afterward because it helps remind you to focus on your breathing.

Medication is a really tricky thing. Some people find real relief from meds and some have difficulty with them; I would not ever presume to tell you to take them or not to take them. What I will say is that in my own family, serious anxiety and depression are genetic issues, and medication has helped some family members immeasurably. But the specific medication and dosage varies person to person, so working with a good doctor is really the best approach.

Good luck to you. I know anxiety can be challenging and debilitating.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Sorry you are having a rough time. I use herbs like valerian root and kava kava if I'm feeling anxious - or this combo called "True Calm" which has magnesium in it as well as some other things. Magnesium Oil (apply to skin) is absorbed well and is recommended by many people for anxiety. It can mildly itch for a few minutes when you first use it, but I got used to that. It can be really helpful for muscle aches as well.

If the above won't help, then I resort to taking 1/2 of an antihistamine like Tavist Allergy.

Anonymous

I'm so sorry to hear you're having to deal with that. I know nothing about Xanax. I second the yoga recommendation.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I'm sorry you're going through this hell.

All the anti-anxiety medication I know of do make one drowsy. I think the two go together....

If you want to find anxiety relief without side effects, yoga meditation and herbal medicines are your best choices. My mother-in-law was in a bad state until a couple of months back (my father in law passed away from a stroke that no one saw coming) and these 3 together really really helped her. Infact, most anti-anxiety medication did not help her.

It's worth a try, don't you think?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I know people who have done well on short periods of medication. They have helped them gain some distance from the problems. In general I think finding coping strategies are a better alternative though.

Yoga is my go to for stress relief too. I think this book is really good - it presents new ways of looking at what is happening in your body.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Upsi.....1583335617

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

caro - I watched Kelly's youtube video on stress and found it very helpful. Not sure of the link but I imagine it's easily found.

Robin

What Viva said, re medications and dosages. Knowing what worked for other people really won't help you know what will work, or not work, for you.

Since you're already dealing with a medical problem, I'd be hesitant to suggest anything but the most gentle herbal medicines. If you do go the herbal medicine route, please talk to your pharmacist about whether what you want to take could impact any medications you're taking.

A lot of behaviour changes can help with anxiety: Conscious breathing, meditation, yoga (yay yoga!), reminding yourself (out loud if you need to) that you can deal with this, and so many other things.

If you don't want to or aren't comfortable trying herbal tinctures, drinking herbal teas can be soothing. They're not usually powerful enough to help manage anxiety on an ongoing basis, but when you're feeling anxious, a hot cup of a soothing herbal tea - such as mint, catnip, chamomile, or a combination - can help some people relax in the moment.

Your reply

Marie

Klonopin works for me.

SandyG

Veteran

Magnesium L-threonate + a meditation tape or app to listen to, both are really helpful. Lots of people run low in magnesium, and the meditation tape practice helps train your brain to focus and pay attention, instead of remaining on high alert all the time. Good luck with this tough (and I hope temporary) health issue.

Melaine

(website)

If you have not had anxiety for a long time (meaning it is more situational, caused by medical circumstances), then I would try some alternatives. I'm also pro-medication though. i've struggled with severe anxiety for years and have tried tons of stuff. Prozac works best for me. i need a baseline of medication to get me to the point of bring able to exercise and do some of the other things that help treat my problem.

Cold shower therapy really helps me. you can read about on earthclinic.

tulle

Veteran

Just remembered 2 great actor's tricks for stage nerves: The first is to stand against a wall, and push the small of your back as flat to the wall as you can. Release & do it again a few times. The second is to place your fingertips just beneath your ribs, following the inverted v of your ribcage, and press upward deeply (warning: when you are very tense, this hurts, but in a good way) then release. Repeat. You may be surprised how quickly this undoes the solarplexus spasms that are responsible for a lot of the physical feeling of anxiety. It steadies your voice and breathing, too, if you are feeling shaky.

Greyscale

Veteran

For me, Prozac is amazing at getting rid of anxiety. But I'm extremely sensitive to it. I take the equivalent of one regular pill a week, when most people take that much or more per day. And compared to my other brain meds it can leave me a little too chill.

The one time I took Kava kava tea it felt like I was affected far more than I'm comfortable with. It's as much a drug as caffeine or alcohol, for me, much more immediate than something like Prozac that has a small background effect. But a friend swears by it.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I had terrible issues with anxiety and panic attacks (plus depression, oh joy) that started when I was working on my PhD but continued for a long time afterwards. In the end I was prescribed sertraline (I think it's also known as Zoloft? I could be wrong about that) and it was very effective.

It can cause obnoxious withdrawal effects if you don't take it for a few days so you have to taper off when you are ready. I took it for a little over a year, quit taking it at least a year ago, and I haven't had a big panic attack since. So if more gentle solutions don't work you might ask your doctor about that.

harmonica

Veteran

Sorry to hear about the hard times you are going through.

I echo Viva on medication. I have no strong feelings pro or against because every person needs individual treatment. And sometimes medication is essential just to be able to get through some of the basics or just trying to align yourself at all.

At the same time I strongly believe that breathing, meditation and yoga could be beneficial for your mental health because it treats both the body and the mind. Such training do not conflict with medication or other stuff at all and help you work out coping strategies. The app Headspace has been very helpful for my mental training and I sincerely recommend it to everyone!

I know anxiety is a killer, but hang in there! You're already taking a step in the right direction when starting this thread.