Stuggling with Constant Anxiety Please Help

[prttypetunia]

I have been struggling with anxiety for about 2 years now. I was prescribed clonazepam and took it for a little while. Then weened myself off of it. That was almost 2 years ago. I was managing for awhile but it seems like ever since this past December I am having problems again. In February my boyfriends grandma died and I had to get back on my clonazepam just to go to the funeral services so that I could be there to support him. For a little bit maybe the whole month of March I was doing better on my medicine and thought things were finally getting better.

Now things are going all wrong again. I can't eat, am having trouble sleeping, chest pain, dizziness, back pain, shakes, tingling in my feet all anxiety symptoms. I also feel so depressed and keep crying all the time b/c I just don't know what to do. I am at a loss. I lay in bed and feel physically ill. I thought this feeling of depression might be a side effect to my medicine. I tried to go off of my medicine this past week but that made everything so much worse. I tried to renew my prescription but the doctor said I had to come in for an appt. The only problem is I'm scared to go and I also have no insurance right now. I feel so ashamed and I don't understand why all of this anxiety is crushing down on me all at once. Please help with any suggestions or advice. Can anxiety really make you feel this horrible? It seems like I am having a constant anxiety attack.

[susang586]

I thought you were actually being sarcastic when you asked if "anxiety could really cause all this" because the answer is such a gigantic YES!!! If you speak to a specialist, I promise they will not be shocked. It is so common and very treatable.

[suzi-q]

Sweetie, the advice above is great advice....just want you to know that you are NOT ALONE!  I find anxiety/depression comes in waves....I can go months feeling almost totally normal, then I come down again.  Just know that there will be an upswing again soon..you just have to ride it out.  Try to get to the doctor and get on the meds...explain about the insurance...he may be able to put you on a payment plan...BEST TO YOU!

[nlighten]

the no insurance thing is a big draw back and makes seeking treatment for what seems to be a multi-facetted problem...there are programs in alot of towns for people, just like you. start by calling churches and call whoever they refer you too.call dr's offices and tell them. Your NOT the only one out there who needs help and has no insurance, make a l ist and call different support programs, it may be a bit hard to find, but if you call enough people, you will find some help!!! good luck, let us know how your doing, ive been where you are , its scary, talk to someone...!!

[Northcoast]

I can appreciate your quandry.  I would recommend that you call your doctor and explain the situation over the phone.  Perhaps he/she can prescribe something over the phone to your pharmacy without you having to make an office visit.   I also recommend reaching out to a family member or good friend to talk things out.  Sometimes just doing that first step of sharing with someone who cares about you helps a great deal.  I find that getting outside in nature for a long walk often helps me when I'm stressing.  Exercise often helps curb my anxiety.  I burn off the edge and when I see results of getting into shape I feel better about myself.  Curling up on the couch all day just makes me feel worse, yet it's hard not to do just that.  Don't feel ashamed of your situation.  Sooooo many people are in your same shoes.  Everything will be alright!  Just take that first step by doing something different than what you're doing right now.   I wish you well!  You're going to be fine!!