iatrogenicAnxiety: PWS - Please help me with my unrelenting anxiety

February 9, 2023

I am begging for suggestions on how to get a leg up over my debilitating anxiety. If you've been here (please read on), I need to hear from you. Here's my story: I was a healthy high functioning white collar worker with no history of drug abuse or anxiety/depression, or any physical ailments whatsoever. I was physically active, and I lived a very good/productive life. I had never been on ADs before experiencing a traumatic event in 2019. I reached out for help at that time. I was prescribed Effexor, aka Venlafaxine, by a psychiatrist. Over the next 2 years I tried 9 different meds, as none of them helped. In fact, during the time I was taking ADs, they made me feel worse. I could hardly think. I lost count of the number of times that I attempted to end my pain. I cried so hard at times that I felt like I was going to have a stroke or something. I gave up after trying 9 different ADs and two years of absolute hell. I suffered from PSSD for about a year after stopping the meds. If PSSD doesn't make you want to end things, nothing will. My depression has improved since stopping the meds 2+ years ago, however, my anxiety remains debilitatingly high. Exponentially higher than anything I experienced previous to taking ADs. It's so bad that I can't work, and sometimes I even have to take a benzo to calm down enough to share a nice meal with friends or family. That makes absolutely no sense, from a behavioral / environmental stress perspective, and is inconsistent with my previous life experiences. It's like the ADs have damaged something in my brain or nervous system that has resulted in persistent anxiety, 24x7. Of course the anxiety gets even worse when I enter a stressful situation. My point is, the anxiety is there regardless of what I am doing, and the dark thoughts follow it. They follow it because I so desperately want relief from the anxiety. I feel like hopelessly damaged by the meds. I am exhausted. I haven't enjoyed an entire day in the last 4.5 years because of this anxiety. If it wasn't for my loving family, and getting off these ADs, I would have checked out by now. No question. I am so scared now, as the anxiety continues after 4.5 years of suffering. I don't think I can go on much longer, and I love my family so much it breaks my heart to feel this way. I honestly believe these drugs have physically damaged my brain and/or nervous system. I believe the PSSD I experienced, and others have experienced, as well as reports of tardive dyskinesia and that good 'ol black box warning on the meds, that one cannot dispute they cause physical damage to the body and mind. I also continue to experience depersonalization and derealization. That was definitely new, since taking ADs. Talk about weird. These are problems I did not even know existed before I started ADs. Not a single health professional warned me about PSSD, heightened anxiety/depression, increased thoughts of ending things, or the possibility of having PWS as a result of taking ADs. I know now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am experiencing PWS. I only discovered it by searching the net last night for others who are experiencing similar symptoms after stopping their meds. I am so thankful there are sites like this to discuss our experiences, as the doctors I have spoken with do not share the knowledge they have of how ADs have hurt their patients. They know, they just don't have a plan 'B' for their treatment options, other than ECT. CBT and talk therapy is great, but it won't fix the physical damage caused by ADs, just like it won't cure your cancer or an imbalance in your hormones.

So please, I am begging for someone who has experienced this hell to suggest something that has helped them manage it. How do we repair our damaged brains / nervous system, or cope with this disability?

Thank you so much for your suggestions.

February 10, 2023

PWS - Looking for Solution to Anxiety

Took 9 different ADs over 2 years for anxiety and depression, to no avail. They actually made my anxiety and depression much worse. Depression improved after coming off the meds, but anxiety is off the charts. Anxious all the time, even after being off the meds for almost 3 years now. No history of anxiety prior to doing ADs.

I can’t go back on ADs. Urgently needing help. Can’t go on much longer feeling like this. Help. Thanks.

Edited February 12, 2023 by Shep
added title after merging from another thread

February 10, 2023

Hi Iatrogenicanxiety

Welcome to our group. Plese prepare a signature where you show the meds that you have taken and the ones taking now if any. Please include also the benzos and the amount you take or have taken.

All the best

Santino

February 10, 2023

in my case the same thing happened, but mine happened when I stopped, but I feel constant tension 24 hours a day also for 3 years now, if you want to talk to me my whatsapp is [please send a personal message]

February 12, 2023

On 2/10/2023 at 12:35 AM, iatrogenicAnxiety said:

PWS - Looking for Solution to Anxiety

Took 9 different ADs over 2 years for anxiety and depression, to no avail. They actually made my anxiety and depression much worse. Depression improved after coming off the meds, but anxiety is off the charts. Anxious all the time, even after being off the meds for almost 3 years now. No history of anxiety prior to doing ADs.

I can’t go back on ADs. Urgently needing help. Can’t go on much longer feeling like this. Help. Thanks.

Please note I merged this from the success stories and placed it here in your intro/update thread. Please continue posting questions about your taper and recovery here so all of your information is in one place.

We don't recommend a lot of supplements, as many members report their nervous systems are simply too fragile to handle them. However, magnesium and fish oil tend to be calming to the nervous system and many people report they do help. Please only add in one supplement at a time and at a small dose. For more, please see:

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

There are many non-drug resources for helping calm anxiety. Please see:

Sudden fear, terror, panic, or anxiety from withdrawal

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

Rebuilding self-confidence, accepting anxiety

Good links for anxiety/worry

Pranayama Breathing for Anxiety and Depression

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, or withdrawal symptoms

Please set up a signature. Here is how:

How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature