Posted by ttime on March 14, 2005, at 10:31:02
Hello:
I have had anxiety for many years (approx. 20 - started with a major anxiety attack). The reason for this post is try to tap into some of the brilliant minds who post here on a regular basis to try and help with where I am at now.
The anxiety has been an up and down sort of thing for the last 20 years and has manifested into mild depression. Also, I have very little patience for anything. Sitting in traffic kills me, or standing in line for groceries, etc...This tends to lead to anger very quickly. I know my blood pressure rises each and every time and I am beginning to worry about the physical effects on my system.
For the past couple of years I have used Xanax .25 or .5, as needed for breakthrough times when my anger, anxiety, frustration seemed to get out of control. It helps..however I am wondering if Ativan, Klonopin or even Valium might be a better alternative?
The anxiety has gotten progressively worst in the past couple of weeks and I have a dentist appt. coming up that I am big time afraid of. The last time I went to the Dentist, my heart seemed to skip a beat every other beat for an hour and a half - no fun...Do you think I should take some Xanax or maybe just get some laughing gas?
I want to try and get in front of this before it gets any worst so I am going to list characteristics of my personality to see if they mirror anyone else's and maybe get enough info. to get pushed in a right direction.
- Have trouble sleeping - racing thoughts, can't seem to shut brain off
- Seem to focus on one thought (especially if it brings anxiety, like going to dentist)
- Beginning to have little patience with people (why can't that person drive faster/slower)?
- Snap at my wife and loved one's/friends over little things
- Tough to concentrate at times
- Lethargy - Brain can't seem to get going during day.
- Knot in my stomach - almost constantly for 2 weeks.
- Breathing seems labored - not natural
- I was driving home the other day and seemed dizzy/woozy
- Harder to focus - have to read things 2,3, 4 times and I still miss some things
- Feel better at home - when I am out I feel socially uncomfortable (although friends and family think I am life of party)
- I make less eye contact now then in the pastI guess the goal is to see if anyone else has similar symptoms to me and what they have done for their issues. I have little time and patience to be going to the p-doc for weeks, months, years and quite frankly think people on this board have alot more going for them (not that I would dismiss p-doc and listen to anyone on this forum, however it seems that people here genuinely care for other people).
So...thanks for reading and I am hoping to start a dialogue with other's who are going through similar sorts of things...
Good Luck to Everyone.
TTime
poster:ttime
thread:470832
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050312/msgs/470832.html