Effexor Xr Gad Posts

Effexor Xr Gad Information

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effexor xr? i was recently put on effexor xr and got a bunch of terrible side effects. (i.e.constipation,headaches,rashes,face breakouts,problems urinating,problems sleeping,trouble sitting still and concentrating,racing thoughts. etc.) my psychiatrist is about to take me off of this medicine, but ive read some horror stories about trying to come off of it. i'm on 150mg right now, will be down to 75mg for the next week and 37.5 the week after, and then i'll be done. i have depression, ocd, GAD/panic disorder. this medicine did nothing for me, other than give me side effects. i was just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences, or if it was bad coming off of the medicine. i'll be on zoloft next, and i would like some input on that medicine, too. thanks. (: I was impatient in a clinic for 5 days recently when I was taken off prozac, on zoloft for two days and then put straight on 150mg of effexor. this was about 4 weeks ago. the only other med i'm on right now is 0.5mg of klonopin for my anxiety (which i've been taking since september). the two days i was on zoloft i had a terrible headache. i'm not sure if that came from the medicine itself or from being taken straight off of prozac and put on a high dose of zoloft.

boatwoman replied: "I suffer from depression and have for the last 18 years, it runs in my family. I was on effexor for about 3 months, I didn't have all of those side effects, but I did have alot of trouble concentrating and I felt like my mind was racing all the time. At first, when I started taking it, it was fairly new and I liked it, but within three months I noticed it just didn't seem like it was working. I am now on Paxil CR and have been for some time. It works best for me. Good Luck."

Baby RM replied: "I'm so sorry to hear that effexor didn't work for you. I'm on it and I'm fine (like 7months) (well i always on two other pills) the only side effect i have is constipation, which i take stool softeners for. i think the way you are going to get off of it will be OK. i have major depression and panic attacks. its bad. maybe talk to your Dr about being on more then one pill at a time. i take a total of three and feel like i different person, in a good way. Zoloft did nothing at all for me, was on it for four months. but everyone is different so it wont hurt you to try it. just remember that it take 2-4 weeks for it to kick in! good luck!!"

MKL replied: "IN MY case , Zoloft was the "lesser of two evils". Effexxor gave me sweats & sexual side effects something awful."

AJ replied: "To bad you were one of the 2% that had the side effects. I have taken effexor for about 3 years. I had similiar effects for about 2 weeks. It doesn't really take effect for 2 to 3 weeks. How long have you been on it? It does have its bad side but for me it helped. I can tell if I miss a dose! Feel yeally funny, shakes, blurry vision, crying. Take smaller doses and taper off, because you will have withdrawal, they say it isn't addicting but you sure feel funny if you don't take. If it doen't work for you, you DO need to try something else. Hang in there and don't give up!!"

Angelia replied: "It sounds like you definitely need to be off of Effexor since it's giving you so many problems. I took Effexor for several months and I recall having a hard time sitting still, but what I remember most was the breakouts...they were bad. It caused me to sweat more too, which wasn't good. You should be fine with your doctor tapering you off like that. I don't remember having any withdrawal effects from Effexor. My only suggestion to you would be to ask your doctor if you could start taking a small dose of your Zoloft while cutting down the Effexor. That way your body doesn't have to go without antidepressants for a long time after you're weaned off the Effexor (it takes 4-6 weeks to get a maximum effect from most antidepressants, although some results can be seen in as early as a week). When my doctor took me off Effexor (I was weaned slowly too), he started me on a new med at the same time, so I wouldn't be without medication, thus allowing my depression to become worse before it could get better. You need to talk to your doctor about this though...it's something that may not be right for some people and it needs to be done carefully. As for Zoloft, I really liked it. It worked well for me for a few months, but then it stopped working. I didn't have any side effects from it. It's a good medication (in my opinion anyway - different medications affect people differently, because of the way the meds interact with a person's individual body chemistry) and it worked well for me for awhile. Good luck and hope this helps."

Giz replied: "Hi,I'm on 200mg of Zoloft .I have been on it for 2 1/2 years now.I also take klonapin 1mg at bedtime.It does cause some side affects but they should start to go away in a couple days 3 or 4. My Dr just put me on effexor xr .Started me out at 35.7 mg for a week,then 75mg for 2 weeks .It made me feel a bit nervous the first day and for two days i had a real bad headache.But now I feel fine.And so now I'm on effexor xr, Zoloft and klonapin PS: If your Dr takes you off the effexor slowly like you say he is.Then you should be just fine. The Zoloft takes a good 4 to 6 weeks to get the full benefit of it."

Effexor XR for Social Anxiety? I went to see my doctor 2 &1/2 weeks ago, to discuss my anxiety. I have always been really shy, and really anxious all my life. (I am 20 years old) I always thought that after high school, this would go away... And I would mature and get over it. But I still find my self scared to go places with many people (partys, stores, concerts, movies... You name it). I decided recently that I can live my life like this anymore, and its just not something that is going to pass... With out some help. So my doctor put me on Lexapro, to sample. He said that after 2 weeks I would feel at least 50% better. Well after doing some research about different anxiety meds, I realize that lexapro is for GAD and depression, not so much for Social Anxiety. So I then started looking for good success stories for SOCIAL ANXIETY meds, and so far Effexor XR sounds the best. And i am wondering if anyone out there has had good sucess on Effexor, and how I might go about bringing it up to my doc?

Irish replied: "Let me give you an excellent site where you can get many answers and relate to many people. Good luck."

Michelle replied: "made me tired all the time. all meds make me tired."

Klonopin (Clonazepam) & Effexor XR Anyone on SNRI & Benzo? Panic Disorder Depression AnxietySocialAnxiety HELP? Thanks for stopping by, this could be kinda long but it's important and I put detail into it.. Just incase you don't already know?: EFFEXOR XR is a prescription antidepressant and is indicated for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. CLONAZEPAM/KLONOPIN is a prescription used for : Controlling certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy and for the treatment of panic disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the activity of a naturally occurring chemical in the brain. (I'm a {}male {}20 years old) - Diagnosis: {}Panic Disorder {}Clinical Depression {}Social Anxiety - Medicines I've tried {}Lexapro {}Celexa {}Paxil {}Abilify {}Buspar {}Ativan (And of coarse {}Effexor XR & {}Clonazepam (Klonopin) - Went to Doctor, then community mental health clinic, now I'm at a much better place then the mental health clinic Seeing a psychologist and waiting to see the psychiatrist Until I can see the psychiatrist at the new place I'm going I went to a different doctor (who accepts Medicaid) and explained this all to him - I was on effexor xr 75 mg for about a year+ (which my doc told me is an ineffective dose, the therapeutic dosage for Effexor XR is at least 150-300) -And also on Klonopin (Clonazepam) .5 mg 2x daily - I was on both (Klonopin& effexor xr) for about a year up until December of 2008 -I no longer had insurance and decided to try going without any medicine for awhile, and there wasn't a way to "taper off" without insurance, so i stopped both cold turkey (please no comments on how that's not good.. i know) However I made it through getting off of these medications and it wasn't as bad as everyone said. - Since going off of these medications my panic/anxiety & depression has peaked - So like I said I went to a doctor until i can see the psychiatrist -He suggested I try going back on effexor only at a therapeutic dose Below is the treatment plan for now read and discuss after: Effexor XR 37.5 mg (they want to ease you up so they give you 30 pills at 37.5 mg each and say: take 1 for 5 days (37.5 mg/day) take 2 for 5 days (75 mg/day) then take 3 for 5 days (112.5 mg/ day) Then I can get a script filled for 150 mg Effexor XR The 150 mg should start to help the panic, social anxiety, gad, & my depression In combination with the Effexor XR; I will start back on *Clonazepam* 1 mg 2 times per day *(PS: I know clonazepam is a controversial drug and may have withdrawl effects but for the benefits of functioning way outweigh the risks. So no comments on that please)* The 1 mg Clonazepam twice a day should help control my anxiety and panic In addition to those medications I'm already seeing a psychologist, I believe talk-therapy alone isn't the cure but I'm hoping medicine and the talk therapy will be beneficial together. In your answers you can leave advice comments etc, just no lectures or anything like that thanks. Also If you do take these medications (esp. together) leave you experience/progress Any advice on what time you take Effexor XR (currently taking it in the morning) Clonazepam/Klonopin (currently taking not specific times, but twice a day) answers(/anything you have to add) I receive is appreciated

minx replied: "wow, i'm speechless ......... go and get yourself fully assessed by a naturopath or other wholistic healer ....... get them to do testing for food allergies/intolerances and chemical sensitivities .......what you ingest and absorb through your skin and breath can have a vast impact on the way you think, the way you feel and your overall health and vitality ....... seriously, you can live a pain free drug free life if only you know precisely what chemicals and foods are upsetting your system .... it could be something as simple as lactose intolerance or an intolerance to processed sugar or wheat ...... disorders from which people suffer due to intolerances to food or chemicals in their diets can cover almost the whole spectrum of physical and mental illnesses ..... an extraordinary concept but mind blowingly true....... do yourself a favor and go and get allergy tested. in the meantime, try to eat as much whole fresh foods that you prepare yourself that includes a wide range of leafy and green vegies, some low sugar fresh fruits like watermelon, cantalope, pears and strawberries, some lean meats and fishes, brown rice, organic nuts and seeds like almonds, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds and lots of fresh filtered water .......... ditch the sodas, pop and soft drinks, consumption of foods containing processed sugar and junky and take away highly processed foods ...... ** and that includes alcohol** ....... not immediately of course or the detox would be too nasty ...... slowly ...... and feed your body from God's table and wean yourself off the highly processed, packagedsludge that has little to no nutritional value anyway. i was diagnosed with "Bipolar/Schizophrenia" 7 years ago and was pumped to the eyeballs with a selection of very heavy antipsychotis and large amounts of Effexor daily (600mg) ....... by taking all their nasty meds i ended up an insomniac, with achy bones, nasty sweating, headaches and migraines, terrible mood swings, permanent constipation, constant sweating ......... until i got reassessed by a naturopath and was diagnosed coeliac, lactose intolerant, intolerant to soy and processed sugar and a plethora of other preservatives and other nasty chemicals they use to preserve our foods......... it wasn't a mental illness at all with me .... it was all food and chemical intolerances ... i detoxed off the meds and cleaned up my diet and finally got me the bounce and vitality back that i'm entitled to ....... that we're all entitled to. EDIT: sorry, i should clarify that i'm speechless at the fact that physicians are so ready to simply continue to prescribe such meds on a never ending basis when they clearly aren't resolving the problem ...... perhaps your health issues need to be resolved from the source mate, not bandaided with toxicmeds. peace baby ♥"

mntnrain80c replied: "I used to have severe panic/anxiety attacks and depression I took clonopin and paxil also went to talk therapy which helped I also had severe agorophobia and had to go to day treatment which is kind of like a babysitting service for people with mental illness. But after going there for about 2 weeks I noticed that there were so many people who had wasted their life by going to this place. It seemed that they bought into the whole "you're ill and you can't decide things for yourself type stuff) I quit going there and I decided I would make myself go out and do things even if it was just baby step type things then push to do more and more. After all this is the type thing that no one else is going to make go away you have to reach deep within yourself to find the strength to over come it. I eventually weaned myself off meds and started driving etc also got a job and have had no problems (well major one) since If I feel anxious I ask myself what is causing it and then work to calm down. Breathing, meditation etc works wonders. I also have the attitude now of I don't care what people think That used to be one of my fears I was afraid if I had a panic attack in public I might start acting irrational and be embarrassed. I could write volumes on panic/anxiety disorder but the space here is limited if you want genuine help then feel free to write me using this screen name @ yahoo.com And no I'm not going to tell you to find Jesus etc That's a choice people have to make on their own and when I was at my worst I would get so annoyed at people who tried to tell me I was being punished for so un named sin etc. I just offer you a friendly compasionate person to talk to about this."

underdamped replied: "Ah, the nay-sayers. Medications have saved and improved so many lives. They not be the right thing for everyone, but I am a firm believer in modern science... Ok, I have depression, bipolar, panic, and add, here's the list: AM 300 mg wellbutrin xl 300 mg lamictal 200 mg provigil 60 mg strattera PM rozerem 1 mg klonopin 37.5 mg paxil as needed: klonopin, niravam (super fast-acting xanax) I sleep. I'm healthy, my nails, hair, and skin are beautiful. I take dance and martial arts and am in the best shape of my life. I'm taking classes (18 units) to get ready for a master's degree program, I study like 8 hrs/day, and I get good grades. etc. I agree with you 100% - the benefits of *functioning* far outweigh the risks/side effects. 50 happy years are better than 80 miserable ones. yes, I take a ton of medication. it not only saved my life, it took it from hell to good. Find a good psychiatrist and be patient. It took a year to get my little cocktail just right, it sucked, but I'm finally mostly normal. Yep, you gotta have therapy too. You need coping skills to deal with that occasional...symptom. I have found that I can handle life better than most healthy people, every-day problems are so small compared to things I have experienced. Even if I could, I wouldn't "heal" myself. I have become very compassionate and non-judgemental. I believe I am better for it and so are those around me. (FYI I'm an athiest) Hope they figure it out for you. And I hope it doesn't take too long. Chat with me anytime, especially if the nay-sayers or people who think it's all in your head get to you."

underdamped replied: "Sorry, I wrote the answer above and then realized I had to change my account and settings, etc. if you want to msg me, it's underdamped_2 :)"

Margaret P replied: "Get as much resource as you can maybe is one option,however it could be quite time consuming,here is one resource i have had good experience."

Pico replied: "I take 300mg Effexor XR, 2mg of klonopin and 30mg of Abilify. I'm diagnosed with 'major depression with psychotic features', GAD and PTSD. I'm 31, been suffering with this crap since I was 12 but was not diagnosed until I was 28. I'm doing better on this drug combo than on any other meds I've been on. I haven't been on many (Lexapro, Zoloft and Ativan). The Zoloft did nothing at all for me and I took 200mg. The Lexapro was a bit better but nowhere near good enough. Ativan was a nightmare. It helped with my anxiety and panic disorder but I got addicted to it within weeks. I was popping the pills all day long. I was switched to klonopin and have had no problems with addiction and it works GREAT for my anxiety. I haven't had a panic attack in over 2 years. Honestly, I take my meds when I remember to take them. I used to be really good about taking the Effexor at night but lately I fall asleep before I remember to take it. I end up taking it at all hours of the day and it doesn't seem to effect me in any negative way. I originally chose to take it at night in case it made me sleepy. I'm supposed to take 1mg of klonopin in the morning and 1mg at night. I take the Abilify with the Effexor whenever I remember to take them. Klonopin is a long lasting benzo. It was explained to me that it works slowly but stays in your system for a long time. It's best to take it on a schedule and space it out. When I was on Ativan, it was 'take as needed'. It's a fast acting benzo. It hits you hard and wears off the same way. It would wear off suddenly and I'd be hit with anxiety and need another pill asap. That's how I got addicted. As for progress, I had a psychotic breakdown in July 2006. I got on Lexapro, Ativan and Abilify right away. As I said above, the Lexapro and Ativan didn't work out for me. I got on the Effexor and klonopin around Feb 2007 and it's done nothing but good things for me...mostly. My sex drive has been a LOT lower since I've been on these meds but I can handle that better than wanting to kill myself. One of the meds gives me night sweats. It's not every night and I'm unsure which med is causing it. I'm leaning toward the Abilify though. As for taking these meds together, I haven't had anything negative happen because of the combo. I was feeling a bit lethargic recently and I complained of constant fatigue. My psych put me on Wellbutrin as well but I had a terrible acne breakout after about a week. I can't live with that so I ditched the Wellbutrin. Unfortunately, it REALLY helped to fight the fatigue."

What's the Best Way to Switch From Zoloft to Effexor XR? I have really bad GAD and panic disorder. I had been on Effexor XR 37.5 for years and it really helped. But then I decided that I wanted to get myself off of all meds. I slowly weaned myself off, but then the panic came back. So the doctor prescribed me Zoloft. I was up to 75 mg of Zoloft and it just took the edge off, but that's it. I basically, have no life because of my panic. So I've decided to go back on Effexor and my doctor agrees. I made this decision on Friday night and saw the doctor today (Monday). In preparation, I lowered myself on Saturday down to 50 mg. Already today, my panic has been out of control. My doctor told me that I could just stop the Zoloft and go right to the Effexor 37.5 tomorrow. But I'm afraid of the side effects/withdrawals of doing that so quickly. But on the other hand, I know my panic will be super out of control if I slowly wean myself off o the Zoloft before starting the Effexor. Any suggestions of how to ease this transition? Thanks!

xquizite_pink replied: "dont take anti depressants they are horrible for you!!!"

Riley O replied: "Zoloft (Sertraline genetic form) is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). It is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that interfere with daily living. This medication works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters such as serotonin) in the brain. How to use Zoloft Oral Read the Medication Guide (US) or Patient Information Leaflet (Canada) available from your pharmacist before you start using sertraline and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. This medication may make you sleepy or wakeful. Therefore, depending on how this medication affects you, your doctor may direct you to take the entire dose once daily either in the morning or evening. The tablet form of this medication may be taken with or without food. The capsule form is usually taken with food after breakfast or after your evening meal as directed by your doctor. If you are taking this medication for premenstrual problems, your doctor may direct you to take this drug every day of the month or just for the 2 weeks before your period through the first full day of your period. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Usually, the daily dose will not be more than 200 milligrams. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not take more or less medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster and your risk of side effects will increase. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication as prescribed even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens."

Tigermoon replied: "you have to be careful switching meds. I know how it feels to switch or mess up your meds. You feeling like you are going coo coo. But as for the do not take the meds..not everyone understands panic and depression. Meds make your life managable so do not feel bad about taking them just use common sense. You have to give any new med at least 2 weeks to see wht is really going to happen. I would just switch after a lower dose of Zoloft after one week. You kinda do have to just staop taking one and then start again with another."

Effexor XR "poop out"? I have been on and off Effexor XR for the past 2 years. Recently, I just went up on my dose to 225mg. I don't know if I feel any better, in terms of depression/anxiety. I also take .5mg of clonazepam, birth control, and Seroquel 50mg at night to sleep. I'm thinking that this medication is not effective for me anymore, and I have tried several different kinds of antidepressants in the past 7 months, such as Lexapro, Wellbrutrin, Cymbalta, Prozac. I have been diagnosed with GAD, Panic Disorder, Depression, and Cyclothymia (a bogus diagnosis in my opinion). I feel like I'm out of luck, and just don't know what other options or other medications I could try.

~princess*raincloud~ replied: "go to another doctor"

fiVe replied: "It's not uncommon for meds to stop working after a while. Your body adjusts to the chemicals, so they don't have the same effect they used to. Bad news, it's time to go on the drug hunt again and find a different anti-depressant that works for you. There are so many out there I think you can find another. I know how annoying it is to go through that process, though."

desikitteh replied: "you should be telling your doctor this."

Does anyone taking Cymbalta take it for Panic Disorder, GAD or Social Anxiety Disorder? I was taking Effexor XR which didn't help me. I was switched to Cymbalta. So far, not sure. Maybe a LITTLE better. But I must say I was on Zoloft before and was doing pretty darn good. Always looking "for something better" I was dumb and asked to be switched to Effexor because I have 2 brothers doing well on it. However, now I wonder if I should have left well enough alone doing good on Zoloft. In any event, I am now on Cymbalta - any feedback concerning the new med. or anything related to this in general is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

spiritualjourneyseeker replied: "Currently its use for panic disorder is an "off label" use. There are recent studies however thar are showing that Cymbalta is a promising treatment for these. Good luck. Hang in there."

How can I get my panic attacks under control? I have panic attacks whenever I attend a big event such as funerals and graduations.I've been on meds for 3 years..I suffer from GAD,OCD,major depression and panic attacks.I was doing better but it seems that now that I've gotten use to these meds , the symptoms are starting to get worse again. I take Effexor Xr,Abilify,Remeron,and Ativan...Can someone please give me some advice on what to do? (Thanks)

kbillecre8 replied: "Natural remedies or homeopathic tinctures can take the place of regular drugs a lot of the time. I go to a naturophatic doctor who also does work in chinese herbal medicine. I know a lot of people think its all new age crap, but it honestly saved me from chronic stomach and GI pain that was related to anxiety. I really think its worth looking into, especially if western medicine isn't working out anymore. btw, I'm not a crazy hippie, I'm a 19 year old female who tried it as a last desperate attempt and it worked."

Jody replied: "I had to increase my Effexor at 3 and 6 years. I went from 75mg to 150 mg to 300mg/day. 600mg is the maximum recommended dosage. I don't know about your other meds. I never took any of them. I know almost all the SSRI's "poop out" after a time, they're notorious for it. I just pray my effexor doesn't. It's the best medicine I found for me. Good luck."

La Lulu replied: "Jody is right. ADs do usually poop out eventually. Please consider talking to your doctor about this. I used to be on Zoloft (12 years!) and it pooped out. Now I'm on Paxil. Something that I've found that's helpful with my anxy feelings (I have GAD) is the amino acid Taurine. I take 1000 mg. on an empty stomach. I take more if needed. Please read this info at the link I've inserted: The books by Dr. Claire Weeks are very helpful as well. You can find 'em cheap on ebay. Take care!"

Charles replied: "I'd say the only "real" solution is to try to "grab the bull by the horns", rather than to try to evade the problem by use of medications etc. The way that worked for me, back when I was having some serious problems with depression, anxiety and panic attacks, was to start looking at the problem with a new perspective. I stopped my medications (not all at once, but rather gradually) and started to force myself into some habits that I had not had before. I started running early every morning before having a nice big breakfast. I started fly fishing and various other hobbies, all to keep myself occupied. While I was doing all this I started to try to divert my previous fear for my panic attacks into a more... Sort of difficult to explain, but I started to look upon it as "with the eyes of a scientist", if that makes any sense at all. When before the mere thought of my depression had sparked new fear and thus more depression, I now tried to turn that spiral into a positive spiral. This, coupled with all of my new "forced" habits, became the motivating force that in the end made me whole again."

shaye replied: "I don't know if this will be helpful, but for starts I know what you're going through. I've suffered from panic attacks for the past 12 years. Meds didn't control it enough, so I had to learn to control it myself. I do certain things when i'm anxious that really help me stay calm. You can take a hot bath & just focus on the water around you, you can try taking a ton of lotion then rubbing it into your hands really slow & focus on the way it smooths into your skin. You can try focusing on your breathing (slowly in through the mouth, slowly out through the nose). Also, when i'm in public & this it happens, I play games in my head. It sounds funny, but works. I will count things I see. Red cars, people wearing the color black, etc... or you can play a mind game where you take each letter of the alphabet & have to name something that starts with that letter (movies, music, you can do it with anything.) Try to focus on anything other than what you're feeling. Listen to music, go for a walk, anything. If you find yourself in a full blown panic attack, you can sit down in a chair, put your heads between your knees & just breathe. Or breathe into a paper bag. It's hard to learn to control them, but you will find a way to control your panic attacks that works for you. It just takes time. Good luck, I hope this helps you a little! Give these things a chance to work, try them!"

Regina (SOC) replied: "So many people breathe thru only the upper part of their lungs, and this makes panic and anxiety worse. To see for yourself, lie flat on your back on your bed and place one hand on your tummy. As you breathe, note if your tummy rises and falls with each breath. If it does NOT rise and fall with each breath, then you are not breathing thru the bottom of your lungs, which is incorrect. Train yourself to breathe so that your hand rises and falls with each breath. As you practice this, over and over, you will be learning correct breathing, which will be beneficial to your entire body. It will also help to stop the panic attacks. You need to practice this all the time, until it becomes automatic. You can even practice doing this while riding in a car, sitting at a desk, or whatever. Best wishes to you, my dear. 3"

Robert J replied: "take very deep breathes eventually it will become 2nd nature"

im bipolar with gad do u think pot can help me.? my medication is as follows effexor xr 300 mg,zyprexa 2.75 mg lithium 1200 mg,lamictal 600 mg rivitrol 1 mg.all are daily doses,,im always such a nervous wreck im scared to talk.i smoked a joint the other day and felt great,any comments please.

ADreamofDarkandTroublingThings:) replied: "pot is probably the best medicine"

Possum replied: "I personally haven't had experience with pot to know but I have read and been told that pot and alcohol should be avoided, especially with the drugs you are on. I've been on both lithium and lamictal and had alcohol with pretty nasty side effects. I guess like anything, if its done in moderation then its less likely to cause problems and pot is meant to be a good relaxant, but isn't it also addictive?"

Risin N replied: "I dont really think pot can help you, but if you think it makes you feel great, its you're call, if you have to be high to feel great, its gonna waste a lot of your money eh, but then again, it does make you feel better then normal, i don't know, if no one's stopping you then give it a try, its better then feeling down and nervous all the time. dont make it an everyday thing though, you'l lose short term memory a bit, and youl start to feel a bit dumber, thats what happend to me when i used to blaze everyday."

higherplanes replied: "Get your doctor to cut down on your meds- that is a fucking shitload of medication! And I thought I was on a lot. Seriously, talk to your doc. The amt of meds could be a major contributor to your nervousness and anxiety. No, I wouldn't recommend pot. It is a weakness all of us with bipolar have. I was a 15 year old alcoholic. It is hideous... and the substances only aggravate the side effects of the meds and screw with the episodes, and can make us more "dangerous" in any state. Don't fuck with it. Seriously, it isn't worth it. Don't become a piece of trash simply because of what the meds are doing to you. Figure out a better system and find more productive ways to manage your stress. Good luck, I know this all sucks. I really do."

Kharisma12 replied: "Drugs are never the answer. But hey, who knows? Pot may be helpful to bipolar and gad. I'm not saying it is! But first consult a doctor before doing anything else. Ask a Doctor. Cuz you can't take advise from people over the internet. Well some things, just not things like that."

in_light_7 replied: "Smoking pot can cause schizophrenia or make worse what your condition currently is."

Stacey Lynn replied: "Go see the best psychlogist in your area and tell him or her the medications your on like you describe in your question. Ask if there is any chemical inbalance involved by taking these medications and trying to smoke a joint to feel better. I'm bipolar II I've never tried smoking a joint! I've never even thought about it before."

Anxiety getting hard to control, need help? Ok here's a quick summary of what i'm going through.. I suffer from GAD ( Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I have been w/o a job for going on 3 months, I used to take Effexor XR for my GAD, but I got off the medication ( with help from my GP ) of course. And I was doing fine for a few months w/o it, I did suffer from the withdrawal.. but I got over that. Lately my anxiety is eating me alive.. I'm really scared because even though I know nothing is PHYSICALLY wrong with me, I just feel SICK almost every day. I need some serious help. I can't go to my dr because I don't have insurance anymore, does anyone know if there's a way I can see a DR w/o insurance, or some other form of treatment? I don't want to go back on MEDICATIONS. That's like a last resort for me.

yahoosa s replied: "I suffered the same problem. I found out my blood sugar level was way out of control. I went through a host of meds but in the end chucked them all for a low card diet. It worked wonders for me. It may not be your problem but worth investigating. If blood sugar is your problem go to the library and check out Protein Power written by two doctors. It changed my life. Good luck."

Edge replied: "This really sounds like a question for someone with a PhD or something... but hey. Try to remember that you've made it this far! And that is at least admirable. As far as managing your anxiety, try writing down what feels the heaviest. It can help clear your mind a little bit and maybe put some things in perspective. Just sitting down afterwards and going over what you wrote will maybe help things click. As far as feeling sick goes, maybe you should take a break all together? A little time for yourself can do wonders. Good luck!"

cadbury replied: "I also suffer from anxiety, but not as bad as yours sounds. I find if I talk to someone when I feel really anxious it helps. It gives my mind something else to think about, so I am not letting it get out of control stressing about being anxious, As you know anxiety gets out of control very quickly. If you can get a handle on it before it spirals, it is easier to cope with. Do you have a partner, family or friends you can talk to ... I find talking about my problem, not trying to hide it helps as well. I use to try to hide when I felt anxious, but it was really hard, so now I tell someone at work etc, that I am having an anxiety attack or feeling on edge and It helps me to cope, I have also seen a councellor, who seemed to help as well. I live in Australia, so we are lucky with the cost of healthcare etc.. I don't know what things like that cost there. but would be worth looking into. Is there a help line or something you can call.... Try relaxation, breathing exercises ( these really help) etc that you might be able to find on the internet. Every thought of massage. I have started having therapeutic massages, and they relax the muscles and help you feel less tense etc. good luck and don't give up. talk to someone you trust"