Almost 2 months in SEVERE ANXIETY

[Shawnee1988]

WHen does it go away? Feeling like I can't even move. Horrible anxiety to the point of not being able to barely eat. Someone please help

[refills]

Hello, I'm a life long drinker and Xanax abuser for 14 years. I've been clean now 124 days Turns out what I knew all along. I have a serious anxiety problem. It seems that depression is the goofy brother that goes along with anxiety. When they stripped me from all my self prescribed meds my severe anxiety raised it's ugly head to an even greater force than before. Most people in this addiction community seem to suffer the same problems. Breathing can be the key after a lot of practice. I'm not there yet, not even close. So yes we need help now. I have visteral on hand but that doesn't do one thing for my anxiety. There are still days I say that I want to do bad things to myself. ( I don't think I would ever hurt myself though) It does get that bad though. Sad to say but I do think that way only to realize I'm stuck this way for awhile. So I'm saying you have company, lots of us. Just remember this will pass and we are doing a great thing. Be strong, breath steady and remember. You/we can do this. I'm still standing. Good Luck Shawnee.

[dwhitti777]

When I have an anxiety attack I find something to get me out of my head. For me that is usually reading. I know not everyone likes to read but it really does occupy enough different parts of my brain to help. I've even started listening to audiobooks in the car or on my phone. It works better for me than a movie because it makes me use more parts of my brain in order to visualize what is happening.

I'm looking for another habit to add to the reading (just posted a thread)...  I wish housework would work as I sure need to do more of that but my brain goes too many bad places as my mind wanders while doing that. I have to do it to music or the audiobooks to get through it.

[Heather8448]

as far as anxiety goes for me i would pray and breathe and cry and flip out but in the back of my head I knew it would pass, When I wake up I pray b4 I even open my eyes...Meditating is impossible for me even at 11 months clean and a a year and a half almost off my DOC
I went to a 12 step program I became brave and honest and I opened up..I did step work and I never gave up, I have mother like figures now i can call 24/7...but with step work I am medication free and TBH its been a couple months since I have had a panic attack...when they happen I breathe through them...but no matter what I dont get high
thats just me and my experience
just remember this too shall pass and we are stronger that you will ever know keep up the good work it takes time

[jugglin]

Did you have any anxiety before drugs?  I did.  The drugs masked it.  Try yoga nidra meditation when you are anxious.  Try Natural Calm which is a magnesium citrate supplement that I use regularly (I get it from natural food store and FOLLOW directions so you don't end up with bathroom problems). Worst case scenario, talk to our Dr.  Xanax is NOT a DOC for me and I have an rx prn (as needed) for when I am really wigging out.  You have options to try....just try them and hang on. 2 month is amazing!

[Shawnee1988]

I will start taking many vitamins. I'm so miserable right now. Any advice is helpful. Thank you for your response

[dwhitti777]

Shawnee...also research the Thomas Recipe.  Many of the supplements will help with this.

[dwhitti777]

That is really variable depending on what, how much, and how long you were taking as well as just being different from person to person. But it will get bettor. ...but let me ask.... Didn't you get anxiety more after you started using than before you started the pills anyway? I know I did. I never had attacks of anxiety before they put me on this crap. Now everytime it runs low in my system here comes the anxiousness or downright panic. Yeah...taking it would quiet the beast but it came back. Why should I have to go through that for years? If we can quit then year the anxiousness will be bad for a bit but at least we know that at the end there is a day where we can live without being a slave to the pills for it. So just stay strong. You are on the journey to a better day that is worth it.

[Shawnee1988]

I was prescribed vistiral to help. I'm also on cymbalta and abilify