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ADMIN NOTE

 

Also see:

 

How to cope with worry, stress, and anxiety -- and what's the difference?

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

____________________________________________________________

 

From:  https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/anxiety-self-help/   see website which includes some self help videos

 

Image

 

 

____________________________________________________________

 

List of symptoms - more details are provided below:

  • Smothering sensations and Shortness of breath
  • Racing heart, slow heart beat, palpitations
  • Lump in throat & Difficulty swallowing
  • Skin losing colour (blanching)
  • Sweating
  • Shaking or shivering (Visibly or internally)
  • Neck & shoulder pain & numbness in face or head
  • Rapid gastric emptying
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Symptoms of urinary tract infection
  • Skin rashes
  • Weakness in arms & tingling in the hands or feet
  • Electric shock feeling anywhere in the body
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares
  • Fears of going mad or losing control
  • Increased depression & suicidal feelings
  • Aggression
  • Symptoms like 'flu'
  • Distorted vision
  • Disturbed hearing
  • Hormone problems
  • Headaches & feelings of having a tight band around head
  • Sore eyes
  • Agoraphobia
  • Hallucinations
  • Creeping or pins and needles sensations in The skin
  • Hyperactivity
  • Dramatic increase in sexual feelings
  • Pain in the face or jaw that resembles a toothache
  • Derealisation and Depersonalisation

 

 

Good article Panic & Anxiety disorder www.npadnews.com/anxiety-symptoms.asp

 

Anxiety & Panic Attacks Symptoms

 

It is not important to try and understand the physiology of the human body but it is important to remember that each of the anxiety symptoms you experience can be explained. Do not dwell on what you are feeling, instead, project yourself into more useful subjects, do something constructive, exercise, learn a skill or craft and escape the body trap. The following list of anxiety symptoms includes the most common ones reported by actual anxiety sufferers. Whilst the list is fairly comprehensive, there may be symptoms that you experience that are not listed; this does not mean that you are more ill or suffering from something else, we are all biologically different in many ways and some people simply react differently during anxiety. If you have any symptoms to add to this list, please email them to me with a description of the sensations you experience.

 

....

 

Smothering sensations and Shortness of breath

These sensations are amongst the more distressing anxiety symptoms. Sometimes it feels as if your chest will not expand to accommodate the air your body needs, other times it feels as if someone is pushing a pillow into your face. The one thing to remember should you experience this is that it is only a sensation caused by exaggerated nerve impulses. These symptoms will not and cannot harm you; you will not stop breathing, pass out or suffocate.

 

Racing heart, slow heart beat, palpitations

Anxiety releases adrenaline into the blood stream making the heart race and feel as if it is missing beats, (palpitations). This is perfectly natural and will not and cannot harm you in any way.

 

Later I will discuss methods you can use to help stop these feelings. A slow heart beat is also a common feature of anxiety, again it does not mean that your heart will stop beating, it may feel odd and alarming but again do not give it any credibility and it will go away. Chest Pain Caused by muscle tension, chest pains can make you feel very scared. The initial reaction of anyone with anxiety who gets pains in their chest is that they are dying of a heart attack. This is not true. Heart pain is very different to this pain and very often does not start in the chest. Deep breathing and relaxation exercises are a very effective way of diminishing these unpleasant symptoms. If you can get somebody to massage your upper back, shoulders and chest, it will help to relax tired and achy muscles.

 

Lump in throat & Difficulty swallowing

Globus Hystericus is the correct term for this symptom. It is caused by the muscles in the throat contracting due to anxiety or stress. Sometimes it feels like you cannot swallow anything and trying to makes it worse. This is another example of a symptom, which will improve if you give it no credibility. It is totally harmless and will not cause you to stop breathing, eating or drinking, it is just very unpleasant.

 

Skin losing colour (blanching)

As blood is diverted to the muscles during the 'fight or flight' response, the fine blood vessels in your skin that gives the skin that pink, healthy colour receive reduced blood flow and the skin loses some of its colour. It is not dangerous and will return to normal as the body starts to normalise after an attack. Some people with generalised anxiety can look a little pale most of the time, again this is quite normal and will return to normal.

 

Sweating

Sweating is a normal bodily reaction and is designed to reduce the body temperature. As the body heats up sweat is released onto it through sweat glands. As the sweat evaporates it takes heat with it, cooling the body. During periods of anxiety the body is preparing itself for either flight or fight and releases sweat to cool the impending exertions. As the anxiety subsides sweat levels return to normal.

 

Shaking or shivering (Visibly or internally)

We all shake or shiver when we are nervous or cold. Shaking is a normal reaction to fear and/or a drop in body temperature. Shaking occurs when the muscles spasmodically contract creating friction between muscles and other body tissues. This friction creates heat which raises body temperature. During anxiety it is quite normal to experience shaking or shivering. It will pass.

 

Neck & shoulder pain & numbness in face or head

The blood vessels and nerves, which supply the face and head, originate in the neck and shoulders. Many of these nerves and blood vessels are routed across the head to the face. When the body is under stress these areas of the body are usually the first to become tense. Facial numbness can be very disturbing but is usually nothing to worry about and is usually the result of this tension.

 

Rapid gastric emptying

This can be a very unpleasant side effect of both anxiety and tranquilliser use. This condition causes the sufferer to feel full very early on in a meal, sometimes making them feel as if they cannot breathe. Then soon after eating they can experience diarrhea and feel as if their whole digestive system is emptying very quickly indeed. Indigestion, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea During periods of anxiety the body diverts blood from various parts of the body to the muscle tissues in order to supply them with the oxygen needed by them during the flight or fight response. One of the main areas where blood is used most is around the digestive tract. Blood is sent there to absorb nutrients from the food we eat. As blood is diverted away from the stomach during anxiety, the digestion slows and the muscles around the stomach can become knotted. This can cause indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea or constipation.

 

Sexual Dysfunction

Impotency, or failure to achieve or maintain an erection, effects many men for many reasons, sometimes there is a physical reason for this but more often than not there is a psychological element.

 

Symptoms of urinary tract infection

Medication can have many and some times quite obscure side effects including the symptoms of a urinary tract infections. It is always advisable to get these things checked out by your doctor but even if you do have an infection it can be easily treated. Drinking plenty of water is always advisable to maintain good, general health but even more so when the body is under stress.

 

Skin rashes

Skin rashes, spots or dryness are all very common symptoms of anxiety and stress. It is quite common to get an eczema like rash around the nose, cheeks and forehead. They are nothing to worry about and usually disappear when you start to feel better.

 

Weakness in arms & tingling in the hands or feet

The flight or fight response is an intense reaction and causes many systems of the body to react. Circulation, blood oxygen and blood carbon dioxide levels change and muscle tension is altered in preparation for action. All of these bodily changes have a profound effect on bodily sensations, feeling week in the extremities, (arms, hands, legs or feet) is one of these sensations. Tingling is usually caused by the pooling of blood carbon dioxide in the limbs, shaking the hands, arms, legs and feet can help increase circulation to these areas. These symptoms are not harmful and will return to normal. Light exercise is very helpful in reversing these sensations. THEY DO NOT MEAN YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A STROKE OR ANY OTHER NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION!

 

Electric shock feeling anywhere in the body

The nervous system is a very complex network of electrically charged nerves which are found in every square centimeter of your body, around every organ, muscle and across your skin, the largest organ in the body. Abnormal nerve impulses due to anxiety can cause a vast array of strange sensations; although quite harmless these can be very disturbing. Dry mouth As fluids are diverted for use in other parts of the body during anxiety, the mouth becomes dry. Sip water or suck sweets to lubricate your mouth. In extreme cases your doctor can prescribe a liquid to do this but it is expensive. It cannot harm you and will go away after the anxiety subsides.

 

Insomnia

One of the more distressing effects of anxiety, insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep. It is important to regain regular sleep patterns as lack of sleep can lead to disturbing symptoms. Follow this link to The Linden Method cure for insomnia

 

Nightmares

Dreams and nightmares tend to mimic what is going on in our daily lives. If we are relaxed and contented we have pleasant dreams and usually do not remember them. If we are disturbed or confused our dreams are more likely to be too. Nightmares are unpleasant but harmless, the more you master good sleep and practice breathing and relaxation exercises the better your dreams will become.

 

Fears of going mad or losing control

We all have a fear of going mad or losing control but rest assured you are not going mad. Going mad is not a conscious act; those who are suffering from severe mental illness are unaware of their journey into it. You are not going mad. Confused nervous messages to the brain along tired nerves in a tired body do not constitute madness. Thoughts are an unconscious product of brain activity. If you are anxious, angry, sad or stressed your thoughts are affected, not only by mood, but also by your physical body chemistry. Blood oxygen levels can affect brain activity and the central nervous system, as can many other bodily chemicals like adrenaline, hormones and even vitamins. These un-pleasant thoughts, emotions and totally irrational fears are not harmful to yourself or others. Any thoughts of harming yourself or other people are perceived only. As you body becomes more relaxed and less anxious your thought processes will return to normal.

 

Increased depression & suicidal feelings

Depression is a word that is commonly misused to describe a variety of conditions. I hear many people in every day life who say, "I am depressed, I feel terrible, I am so fed up". This is, in most cases, not depression. Depression is a series of chemical imbalances that create a clinical illness that has strong links with anxiety disorders and can be a side effect of them. Anxiety has many features of depression and can mimic it quite strongly. When someone goes to the doctor complaining of feeling run down and fed up, it is all too easy to write a prescription for Prozac, Seroxat or another anti-depressant. I wonder how many people are on anti-depressants who just needed to reassess and restructure their lives.

 

Aggression

When you feel tired, ill, fed up and held back by your condition you are bound to feel angry. One of the main causes of true anger is actually sadness. Think back to a situation that has made you feel anger, if you dissect that event you might find that the true reason for feeling so angry was a feeling of sadness. Aggression is a normal reaction to fear also, the fight or flight response prepares us to either run or fight, sometimes to fight may seem to be the best response.

 

Symptoms like 'flu'

Influenza causes the body to release anti-bodies into the blood stream to attack the virus. This combination of anti-bodies and infection makes the body feel weak, sweaty and painful. Anxiety can have a similar effect, weakening the muscles, making you clammy and achy. Believe it or not the more you do physically the better this will become.

 

Distorted vision

In order to prepare the body for impending danger, adrenaline release causes many physical changes. During the anxiety response the body prepares the eyes to notice any slight movements; it does this by dilating the pupils allowing more light to enter. This is why anxious people become more sensitive to bright light and often wear sunglasses to minimize the eyestrain it causes.

 

Disturbed hearing

This is called tinnitus and is usually experienced as whistling or screeching noises in either or both ears.

 

Hormone problems

Anxiety can affect various systems of the body, one of which is the endocrine system. This system is responsible for balancing the glands, which secrete hormones in the body. Although these glands secrete the hormones needed by the body, they do not control the levels of these chemicals, this is done by the brain. Disturbed messages in the brain and nervous system can cause slight irregularities in the secretion of these chemicals. When anxiety levels return to normal so will the hormone levels. There are few examples where these hormones cause serious problems and if they do your doctor can correct them. Women may find that their menstrual cycle is temporarily effected and men may find that they have mood swings whilst testosterone levels are affected.

 

Headaches & feelings of having a tight band around head

As discussed earlier, tension in the neck and shoulders can cause immense discomfort, migraine and numbness. The feeling of having a tight band around your head is caused by muscular tension in the sheath of muscles covering the skull. Restricted blood vessels and nerves within this tissue can cause very severe symptoms including pain in the eyes, face and teeth.

 

Sore eyes

Reduced lubrication in the eyes when body fluids are diverted elsewhere during anxiety causes the eyes to feel sore, dry and painful.

 

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a natural response to anxiety and self-preservation. If we feel threatened we tend to retreat to somewhere safe, like a tortoise into its shell. In anxiety it is important to gain control of this response as soon as you feel it developing. Avoidance of situations is not an effective tool in the fight against agoraphobia.

 

Hallucinations

Mostly experienced by people in withdrawal, hallucinations can be very frightening indeed if you do not understand what they are and where they come from. Hallucinations are another example of transient symptoms. If you are in withdrawal they will pass, if you are not in withdrawal consult your doctor, as they may be a side effect of the drugs that you have been prescribed.

 

Creeping or pins and needles sensations in The skin

The nerve endings in your skin are alive with electrical impulses, these can feel like creeping sensations, pins and needles or tickling, they are the result of confused nerve impulses and cannot harm you. Increased sensitivity to light, sound, touch, and smell All of these sensitivities are to prepare your senses to see, smell, hear and feel more when in impending danger during the fight or flight response. All of these feeling are unusual but not dangerous, they are temporary and will return to normal as your anxiety levels reduce.

 

Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity is a way of describing a range of symptoms that cause you to feel as if you need to talk faster and do things faster. It can make you feel confused and irrational and can make you do things that you would not usually do. This is a common feature of anxiety and drug withdrawal and will pass in time.

 

Dramatic increase in sexual feelings

As the brain copes with disturbed and confused messages from all around the body, some of the mind's thought processes can become a little distorted or exaggerated. Sexual thoughts and emotions are typically very strong even when in good health, they are what drive the attraction mechanism when we meet people we find attractive and create the sexual feelings we feel for some people.

 

Pain in the face or jaw that resembles a toothache

The term 'face ache' comes from this feature of anxiety. Most of this symptom is caused by tension, not only in the face, neck and shoulders, which can refer pain to the jaw and teeth, but also in the jaw itself.

 

Derealisation and Depersonalisation

These are both symptoms, which affect the way you experience yourself. Derealisation is the sensation that you and everything around you is not real or dreamy, as if you are seeing everything through a fog or some kind of filter. It has been noticed that people experience both depersonalisation and derealisation during panic. It seems that some people dissociate first which then causes panic and derealisation.

 

poodlebell

 

Edited by ChessieCat
edited for fair use; added admin note with links; fixed link; added diagram and list and formatted for easier reading
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Hi Alto

 

will remember to send the link in future

 

 

Anxiety & Panic Attacks Symptoms

 

 

www.npadnews.com/anxiety-symptoms.asp - Cached

If you can get somebody to massage your upper back, shoulders and chest, .... Blood oxygen levels can affect brain activity and the central nervous system, ... too easy to write a prescription for Prozac, Seroxat or another anti-depressant. ... This is why anxious people become more sensitive to bright

 

poodlebell

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i was of the opinion that our anxiety symptoms were not the same as normal anxiety?

Started Seroxat(Paxil) for panic attacks in 1997 stopped the drug in 2005 tapered over 3 months ( doctors advice)

Suffered severe and protracted withdrawl ever since.

No other medication taken.

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the symptoms seem to be the same as us but I think that they come from the brain still wanting the seroxat and not normal anxiety that others get.

 

poodlebell

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I'm really curious about the similarities and differences (and implications for treatment) between withdrawal anxiety and anxiety in general. I suppose there is a lot of variety even in "regular" anxiety.

'94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.
6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.
11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.
9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.
10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?
11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever.

1/13 Best I've ever felt.

3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows.

4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time.

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  • 8 months later...

I have cards that I pulled out from this program [Attacking anxiety & depression]. I'll type them in. There are 15 altogether.

 

 

Six Steps To Put An End to Panic Attacks

 

Use these six steps for waves of sadness, anger, worry,fear, etc.

 

 

1. Accept - float don't fight

2. Permission - I know what this is

3. Breathe - Inhale 2, Exhale (notice that your shoulders have dropped)

4. Inner Dialogue - positive, comforting

5. Distract - action, mental & physicsal for at least 15 minutes. (shower, clean a closet)

6. Let Time Pass - discomfort always passes, remind yourself of this

 

 

Notice personality traits that encourage anxiety.

 

Begin to appreciate the positive side of our personalities.

 

You can change the way you think.

 

Begin making behavior changes.

 

Begin journaling.

 

Slow down in all ways.

 

Begin an exercise routine and reduce caffeine. In WD a mild form is best.

 

Recovery is a gradual process.

 

Use relaxation tapes.

 

Listen to your inner dialogue... Is is respectful, kind and compassionate?

 

I am proud of myself for the changes I am making. This condition is temporary.

Edited by Altostrata
added clarification

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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I love this!!! I am going to print it out and put it on the refrigerator :)

Effexor XL 2009-2012. CT 150mg Effexor XR  2012, Effexor XR  75mg  2012  then rapid taper to 0, Reinstated Effexor XR 13mg then updosed to 20mg, Tapered to 18mg Effexor XR 4/9/12, Off Effexor XL ?Reinstated  Effexor XL 150 mgs  August  2012, Crashed in November 2012, Prozac 40 mgs 2012 to Feb 2018, Buspar 60  mgs 2012-stopped 2015, Remeron 7.5 mgs as needed for sleep-stopped Feb 2017, Prozac 50 mgs Feb 2018 to March 2018, Lexapro 5 mgs March 18 2018 to May 17th 2018, Lexapro 2.5 mgs  May 18th to May 26th 2018, Prozac 10 mgs May 15th 2018, Prozac 5 mgs May 19th 2018 to current day May 28th 2018,  Xanax 0.25 mgs to 0.5 mgs daily for over 15 years. Increased Xanax to 1.5 mgs Sept 2012, Tapered Xanax to 0 mgs  May 2013.Reinstated Xanax Feb 2017 at 0.125 mgs as needed, Gradual increase of Xanax to 1.5 mgs daily till May 22nd 2018, Xanax 1.25 mgs daily. Holding

 

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Thanks Nikki - great plan :)

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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After years of dealing with panic attacks, I have found these steps sooo very helpful. I find it is comforting to know that everyone feels anxiety - we are not weird or flawed in any way - and that whatever intense emotions we are feeling WILL PASS. We are not weak, we are not destined for failure, we are on a journey that is difficult and we will get through it! Sometimes it's one breath at a time, and that is okay.

Lexapro 20 mg 1998-2012

January 2012 added 20mg of Prozac to aid with taper

Did a six month taper off of the lexapro

As of June 7, 2012 lexapro free. Still take the prozac.

Klonopin .25 as needed (usually 1-2x a week).

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After years of dealing with panic attacks, I have found these steps sooo very helpful. I find it is comforting to know that everyone feels anxiety - we are not weird or flawed in any way - and that whatever intense emotions we are feeling WILL PASS. We are not weak, we are not destined for failure, we are on a journey that is difficult and we will get through it! Sometimes it's one breath at a time, and that is okay.

 

 

DSN...thank you for posting this. I am a bit eary eyed. For some reason I have always felt deeply flawed and alone from anxiety. That 'it' separates me from other 'normal' people.

I don't understand this about myself.

 

I will continue with the rest of the Flash Cards....very, very hectic week. Stress <_<

 

Lots of Hugs

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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Nikki - I completely understand. Anxiety makes us feel separate - it is so sad and yet it is NOT true. I work in mental health (ha, imagine that!) and the numbers of people who suffer from anxiety is huge and only getting higher by the minute. It is something that everyone experiences. I found that sometimes I would share my anxiety secret with people who I thought were so "together" and they would be like, "OMG me too!!!". Of course, the lengths of anxiety we experience and the intensity is a bit different, but it's a feeling that most can relate to. Just know it is a human emotion, it will not kill you, it will pass and you are in no way, shape or form flawed.

 

HUGS :)

Lexapro 20 mg 1998-2012

January 2012 added 20mg of Prozac to aid with taper

Did a six month taper off of the lexapro

As of June 7, 2012 lexapro free. Still take the prozac.

Klonopin .25 as needed (usually 1-2x a week).

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WEEK 2 Attcking Anxiety & Depression

 

Self Talk

 

. It's okay to be anxious. I'm okay

. Body symptoms are uncomfortable, but there is no real danger

. I have tools to control panic I can distrat myself & sooth myself

. I can handle sad feelings

. I am my safe place and safe person

. It's okay to relax now

. I can share my feelings and thoughts

. It always passes

. I am strong, courageous and capable

. My new skills are working

 

Remember you are not going to have a heart attack and die. It's just anxiety. I am not in any danger, I am just frightened.

 

Everyone has anxiety. I am not alone

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

WEEK 3

 

Self Talk ~ The key to halthy self-esteem

 

1. Recognize - what makes us feel bad

2. Question - is it true, reasonable, rational or realistic?

3. Re-structure - state the positive (learn how to emphasice the positive and micro-size

negative thoughts.

4. Transport - negative state to positive one

5. Problem Solve - what can you do to improve the situation

6. Write - change negative dialogue to positive at least 4 times a day

 

Positive feelings/thought can't co-exist with negative thoughts

 

"Change your thought and change your world" Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

 

. I can choose the thoughtsI entertain

. I will look for the good

. Negative thinking is a bad habit developed over time which I can reverse

. I am a grat problem solver

. I am worthy of inner peace

. I am alive and participating in my day

. I am action oriented

. I am proud of my accomplishments

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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WEEK 4

 

Expectations: expect less and get more

 

. Attitude is everything

. Depression is treatable

. I will not 'should' on myself today

. I am capable of setting realistic goals

. I can stop taking myself so seriously

. Unrealistic expectations cause stress

. Unreasonable 'shoulds' bring frustration

. My best is good enough

. I am worth standing up for

. I am worth it - I am good enough

. I am no longer a victim thinker

. I am enough, I do enough, I have enough

 

1. Would I ask this of anyone else?

2. Is this really my responsibility?

3. Am I over-reacting

4. How can I be more effective and less affected?

5. Am I trying to be perfect?

6. Who am I trying to impress?

7. Is this MY goal or someone else?

8. Do I really have to control this?

9. Can I let go and let other people live their lives?

 

"I feel so much better now that I have given up control of the Universe."

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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  • Administrator

Really wonderful questions to ask yourself and gain balance. Thank you, Nikki.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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WEEK 5

 

. Eat & exercise - rid yourself of anxiety.

 

. Honestly evaluate your diet

(5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day?)

 

. Percentage of fats? Sugar? Caffeine? Alcohol?

 

. Begin and Exercise routine and schedule it in writing.

 

. Begin to eliminate stimulants

 

"Would you start your dog's day with a cup of coffe, a sugar donut, and a cigarette?"

Jack LaLane

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

1. I can change a habit

2. I can take control of my health

3. I can cultivate patience with myself while I make these changes

4. Exercise is sef-fulfilling

5. I can drink 8 glass of water a day

6. I am valuable

7. I can take care of myself

 

 

WEEK 6

 

Stop Being Angry and Control Mood Swings (Don't sweat the small stuff)

 

Remember:

 

. Anger is a human emotion

. Anger can be damaging in many ways

. Stuffing anger can be damaging in many ways (anxiety & depression)

. Anger is very costly - Use it wisely

. Anger has themes. Be Watchful - what is the need you may have?

. Anger hides fear. Deal with the fear

. Angry people lose respect

. Anger can be New ~ Old ~ or direted at self

. RESOLVE, DISSOLVE AD LET GO

 

1. think before you react (Helps prevent remorse and/or guilt)

2. Count ten or delay 24 hours

3. It's your perfect right, but how much will it cost

4. Use "I" messages and a calm voice

5. Begin with a positive....Listen....end on a positve note

6. Be assertive, not aggressive

7. Think about the situation and ask yourself "How important is it?"

 

Mental Self Abuse is The Highway to Depression

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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So great!!!! Thank you Nikki :)

 

Daisy

Effexor XL 2009-2012. CT 150mg Effexor XR  2012, Effexor XR  75mg  2012  then rapid taper to 0, Reinstated Effexor XR 13mg then updosed to 20mg, Tapered to 18mg Effexor XR 4/9/12, Off Effexor XL ?Reinstated  Effexor XL 150 mgs  August  2012, Crashed in November 2012, Prozac 40 mgs 2012 to Feb 2018, Buspar 60  mgs 2012-stopped 2015, Remeron 7.5 mgs as needed for sleep-stopped Feb 2017, Prozac 50 mgs Feb 2018 to March 2018, Lexapro 5 mgs March 18 2018 to May 17th 2018, Lexapro 2.5 mgs  May 18th to May 26th 2018, Prozac 10 mgs May 15th 2018, Prozac 5 mgs May 19th 2018 to current day May 28th 2018,  Xanax 0.25 mgs to 0.5 mgs daily for over 15 years. Increased Xanax to 1.5 mgs Sept 2012, Tapered Xanax to 0 mgs  May 2013.Reinstated Xanax Feb 2017 at 0.125 mgs as needed, Gradual increase of Xanax to 1.5 mgs daily till May 22nd 2018, Xanax 1.25 mgs daily. Holding

 

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WEEK 7

 

Assertive Behavior ~ Speaking Confidently ~ Gain Respect

 

. I am worthy of respect

. I can say, "no"

. The more I practice, themore comfortable I become with new skills & behaviors

. Assertiveness prmotes self-worth

. Assertive people get respect

. I can let go of guilt

 

To be Assertive:

 

1. Practice.

2. Exercise your rights. Get your needs met. But not at the expense of others.

3. Use "I" messages.

4. It's ok to put myself first.

5. You do't always have to have the answer. Step back, think before responding.

6. Speak up and don't raise your voice.

7. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and drop it.

8. No apologies needed.

9. Don't forget to breathe.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

WEEK 8 (My favorite)

 

End "What If" Thinking

 

. The real thing is usually never as bad as I imagine

. I have tools to face my avoidances and limitations

. I don't have to do it the hard way

. I can have as much control over my practice session as I choose

. Every challenge is an a opportunity

. It's okay to be uncomfortable

. I have skills I've never had before

. Is it realistic, rational, reasonable?

. Plan ~ Practice ~ Patience

 

Dealing with Anticipatory Anxiety

 

1. Write - your plan of action.

2. Begin - facing the fear kills the fear

3. Baby Steps - plan for success.

4. Give yourself - credit

5. Face it - take your life back

6. Learn - how to make the next time easier. Just do it!

 

Expect to feel some anxiety while practicing new skills.

 

"I had a horrible life, most of which never happened." Mark Twain

5.

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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WEEK 9

 

Get Off the Guilt & Worry Treadmill

 

. Gult is self imposed, therefore we are in control

. Guilt was menat to be a tap on the shoulder, not a broken life

. Guilt is anger directed at ourselves\

. Guilt keeps "it" alive. Apologize for "it". Learn from "it" & let go of "it".

. FORgive = to be FORgiving. Become solution oriented = Action

 

If there is no self forgiveness, you are still a victim of the situation.

 

1. Schedule - daily worry time, avoid at all other time & grdually eliminate.

2. There is no maagic in worry.

3. Good worriers are good goal setters.

4. Switch to problem solving.

5. LIve in the precious, present moment.

6. 95% of what we worry about never comes about.

7. Worry is a habit - unhook.

8. Worry is an avoidance behavior fueled by fear.

 

What did your worry about today? What did it solve?

 

Worrying is sometimes bigger than the problem.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

WEEK 10

 

Stop Obsessive - Scary Thoughts

 

The thought is not the problem - the pattern is.

 

. My way of thinking is a habit

. I can change

. I will deal, not swell

. Feelings are not facts

. We are not our thoughts, we are our actions

. I will use humor

. I don 't have to chase down every disturbing thought just to see how scary it gets

. I am capable of facing my fears

. I will not act on my scary thoughts

 

Obsessive and scary thoughts are our minds way of distrcting us frm what is really bothering us.

 

1. Notice - catch the frist thoughts that lead to a spiral of scary, negataive ones.

2. Accept - thoughts - just thoughts - breathe

3. Interrupt - mentally count to ten

4. Close the gate - mentally see yourself closing the gate on the flow of the thoughts

5. Distract - choose a new direction

 

Rewind - Discover - Replace

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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Obsessive and Scary Thoughts....

 

When I first had my meltdown from panic attacks, I didn't know what they were. I had obsessive and scary thoughts. For example I was chopping green peppers and I suddenly had this panic attack and the thoughts were something like I was afraid I would hurt someone or myself with the knife. It was terrifying.

 

Some of my others were....being afraid that I would just burst out in public and make a scene and fool of myself.

 

In the program Attacking Anxiety there are people who said they were afraid of jumping off the bridge while stuck in traffice. A woman said she was afraid she would drown someone.

 

There are millions of them. Dr. Burns discusses this in his anxiety book. One of his patients was afraid he would take his clothes off and run down the hall at work.

 

When I discovered these CD's and the therapist I was seeing, they explained alot and the thoughts never came back.

 

HOWEVER...when I was WDing from Lexapro (2007)I had obsessive/scary thoughts. It was the suicide ideation that happens during WD. It terrified me. It didn't happen that often, but when it did, I was a wreck. I first heard or read about it in another website and was relieved that it wasn't just me.

 

I just wanted to bring this up because it was something horrifying for me.

 

Hugs

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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This is a lovely video about being a sensitive person, and use it as a blessing rather than a curse. She also talks about protecting the sensitive side of ourselves:)

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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  • 5 months later...

====================================================

 

Helpful things:

 

https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml

 

This document has a diagram of the body explaining what happens in the body when we become anxious:

 

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/AnxietySelfHelp.pdf

 

 

Audio FEMALE VOICE:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) 

 

Audio MALE VOICE:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

Dr Claire Weekes suffered from anxiety and learned and taught ways of coping.  There are videos available on YouTube.

 

Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes

 

====================================================

 

 

Hi everyone,

 

I came across a site that has the most comprehensive list of anxiety symptoms I've found. I was suprised to see that a lot of my symptoms that I don't immediately relate to anxiety, like depersonalization and strange smells, even body zaps, are related. For those of us who feel like we're going crazy sometimes, this list may be of help!

 

They do stress that certain symptoms could have other causes and you should check with your doctor. But reading this makes me realize why my doctor just dismisses all my complaints as anxiety and why she referred me back to a psychiatrist. It really drives home how it makes it so difficult to come up with a diagnosis of withdrawal, discontinuation syndrome, PANES, etc. It makes no difference with most doctors if you assure them that you did not have these symptoms prior to taking or discontinuing pyschiatric medications, as it is "common opinion" that anxiety symptoms can spontaneously present at any time of life, PARTICULARLY if there has been a previous mental health diagnosis. It really is disheartening...

 

Source: http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml

 

Disclaimer: There is a subscription component for this website, which I have not tried and am not advocating (though it doesn't seem very expensive).

 

Quote

Anxiety symptoms, anxiety attack symptoms: There are over 100 symptoms of anxiety.

 

Because each person has a unique chemical make up, the type, number, intensity, and frequency of anxiety symptoms will vary from person to person. For example, one person may have just one mild anxiety symptom, whereas another may have all anxiety symptoms and to great severity. All combinations are common.

 

What are anxiety symptoms?

 

Common anxiety symptoms include:

 

Body (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the body in general):

 

Allergy problems, increase in allergies (number, sensitivity, reactions, lengthier reactions)

Back pain, stiffness, tension, pressure, soreness, spasms, immobility in the back or back muscles

Blanching (looking pale, loss of color in the face or skin)

Blushing, turning red, flushed face, flushed skin, blushing, red face or skin

Body aches, parts of or your entire body feels sore and achy, feels like your body and muscles are bruised

Body jolts, body zaps, electric jolt feeling in body, intense body tremor or “body shake”

Body temperature increase or decrease, change in body temperature

Burning skin, itchy, “crawly,” prickly or other skin sensations, skin sensitivity, numbness on the skin

Burning skin sensation on the face, neck, ears, scalp, or shoulders

Buzzing sensation in the feet, toes, hands, fingers, arms, legs

Chest pain, chest tightness

Choking

Chronic Fatigue, exhaustion, super tired, worn out

Clumsiness, feeling clumsy, co-ordination problems with the limbs or body

Cold chills, feeling cold

Craving sugar, sweets, chocolate, usual craving for sugar and sweets

Difficulty speaking, moving mouth, talking, co-ordination problems with the mouth or tongue

Dizziness, feeling lightheaded

Dizzy, feeling dizzy

Electric shock feeling, body zaps

Excess of energy, you feel you can’t relax

Falling sensation, feel like your are falling or dropping even though you aren't

Feel like you are going to pass out or faint

Feeling cold or chilled

Feel wrong, different, foreign, odd, or strange

Flu-like symptoms, general malaise, feel ill, like you are coming down with a flu

Flushed face, red face, flushed skin

Frequent urination

Hair loss, hair is thinning, or clumps of hair are falling out

Head Zaps

Heart palpitations, racing heart

Hyperactivity, excess energy, nervous energy

Increased or decreased sex drive

Infection - increased infections, persistent infection

Mouth or throat clicking or grating sound/noise when you move your mouth or jaw, such as when talking

Muscles that vibrate, jitter, tremor, or shake when used

Muscle twitching

Nausea

Nausea vomiting

Neck, back, shoulder pain, tightness/stiffness

Night sweats, waking up in a sweat, profusely sweating at night

No energy, feeling lethargic, tired

Numbness

Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling

Numbness and tingling, and other skin sensations on hands, feet, face, head, or any other places on the body

Persistent muscle tension, stiffness

Pounding heart, heart feels like it is beating too hard

Pulsing or throbbing muscles. Pulsing or throbbing sensation.

Red skin, skin looks like or is turning red

Rib or rib cage tightness, pressure, or feeling like a tight band around the rib cage

Sexual Dysfunction, sexual uninterest

Shooting pains, stabbing pains, and odd pressures in the neck, head, or face

Shooting pains in the face

Shooting pains in the scalp or head

Skipped heart beats

Sore or tight scalp or back of the neck

Startle easily

Sweating, uncontrollable profuse sweating

The floor feels like it is moving either down or up for no reason

Tightness in the ribs or rib cage area, may also feel like a tight band around the ribs or rib cage area.

Tingling sensations, anywhere on the body, including the hands, feet, legs, arms, head, mouth, chest, groin area

Throat or mouth clicking or grating sound/noise when you move your mouth or jaw, such as when talking

TMJ

Trembling, shaking, tremors

Twitching

Unsteadiness, dizziness, feeling dizzy or lightheaded

Urgency to urinate, frequent urination, sudden urge to go to the washroom (similar to urinary tract or prostate infection symptoms)

Warm spells

Weak - feel weak, weakness, low energy, light, soft, like you may faint

Weak legs, arms, or muscles

Weight loss, weight gain

Chest (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the chest area):

 

Chest tremors, trembling in the chest, chest feels like it is vibrating

Chest pain or discomfort

Concern about the heart

Feel like you have to force yourself to breath

Find it hard to breath, feeling smothered, shortness of breath

Frequent yawning to try and catch your breath

Heart Palpitations – beating hard or too fast, rapid heartbeat

Heart - Irregular heart rhythms, flutters or ‘skipped’ beats, tickle in the chest that makes you cough

Pounding heart, heart feels like it is beating too hard

Rib or rib cage tightness, pressure, or feeling like a tight band around the rib cage

Emotions (see mood) (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with emotions, mood, and feelings)

 

Fears (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with fear):

 

A heightened fear of what people think of you

Afraid of being trapped in a place with no exits

Constant feeling of being overwhelmed.

Fear of being in public

Fear of dying

Fear of losing control

Fear of impending doom

Fear of making mistakes or making a fool of yourself to others

Fear of passing out

Fear that you are losing your mind

Fears about irrational things, objects, circumstances, or situations

Fears of going crazy, of dying, of impending doom, of normal things, unusual feelings and emotions, unusually frightening thoughts or feelings

Heightened self awareness, or self-consciousness

Need to find nearest washrooms before you can feel comfortable

Need to seat near exits

Head (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the head):

 

Brain fog

Burning, itchy, tight scalp

Dizziness

Dizzy

Dizziness or light-headedness

Frequent headaches, migraine headaches

Feeling like there is a tight band around your head, pressure, tightness

Hair loss, hair is thinning, or clumps of hair are falling out

Head, neck or shoulder pain, tightness/stiffness

Head zaps, head tremors

Giddiness

Numbness

Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling

Shooting pains, stabbing pains, and odd pressures in the neck, head, or face

Shooting pains in the face

Shooting pains in the scalp or head

When you close your eyes you feel like are beginning to, or will, float upwards

Sore jaw that feels like a tooth ache

TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) - clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth

Hearing/Ear(s) (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with hearing):

 

Feel like there is something stuck in your ear, that your ear canal it plugged or blocked, that there is a pebble in your ear that you can't get out

Low rumbling sounds

Reduced hearing, frequent or intermittent reduced hearing or deafness in one or both ears

Ringing in the ears, noises in the ears, noises in the head

Pulsing in the ears, throbbing sound in the ear(s)

Tickle or itch in your ear that you can't seem to get at

Mind (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the mind and thinking):

 

Afraid of everything

Altered state of reality, consciousness, or universe feeling

Brain Fog

Deja Vu, a feeling like you've done or experienced something before

Depersonalization

Derealization

Desensitization

Difficulty concentrating, short-term memory loss

Difficulty thinking, speaking, forming thoughts, following conversations

Disorientation

Fear of going crazy

Fear of losing control

Fear of impending doom

Feelings of unreality

Frequent feeling of being overwhelmed, or that there is just too much to handle or do

Having difficulty concentrating

Nightmares, bad dreams

Obsession about sensations or getting better

Repetitive thinking or incessant ‘mind chatter’

Short-term learning impairment, have a hard time learning new information

Short-term memory impairment, can't remember what I did a few days, hours, or moments ago

Spaced out feelings, feeling spaced out

"Stuck" thoughts; thoughts, mental images, concepts, songs, or melodies that "stick" in your mind and replay over and over again.

Trapped in your mind feeling

Underlying anxiety, apprehension, or fear

You often feel you are carrying the world on your shoulders

Mood / Emotions (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with mood, emotions, and feelings):

 

Always feeling angry and lack of patience

Depersonalization

Depression

Dramatic mood swings (emotional flipping)

Emotionally blunted, flat, or numb

Emotional "flipping" (dramatic mood swings)

Emotions feel wrong

Everything is scary, frightening

Feeling down in the dumps

Feeling like things are unreal or dreamlike

Frequently being on edge or 'grouchy'

Feel like crying for no apparent reason

Have no feelings about things you used to

Not feeling like yourself, detached from loved ones, emotionally numb

Underlying anxiety, apprehension, or fear

You feel like you are under pressure all the time

Mouth/Stomach (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the mouth and stomach):

 

A ‘tinny’, ‘metallic’ or ‘ammonia’, or unusual smell or taste

Aerophagia (swallowing too much air, stomach distention, belching)

Burning mouth, feeling like the inside of your mouth is burning, or tingling, or like pins and needles, or all of these together or at different times

Burning tongue, feeling like your tongue is burning, or tingling, or like pins and needles, or all of these, or all of these together or at different times

Choking

Constant craving for sugar or sweets

Constipation

Diarrhea

Difficulty swallowing

Difficulty talking, pronouncing certain letters or sounds, mouth feels like it isn't moving right, slurred speech

Dry mouth

Feeling like you can’t swallow properly or that something will get caught in your throat

Feeling like your tongue is swollen

IBS

Lack of appetite or taste

Lump in the throat, tight throat, something stuck in your throat

Mouth muscles twitching/jumping

Mouth or throat clicking or grating sound/noise when you move your mouth or jaw, such as when talking

Nausea

Nausea vomiting

Nausea or abdominal stress

Numbness

Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling

Stomach upset, gas, belching, bloating

Teeth grinding

The thought of eating makes you nauseous

Tight throat, lump in throat

Throat or mouth clicking or grating sound/noise when you move your mouth or jaw, such as when talking

TMJ

Tongue symptoms - Tingly, “stretched,” numb, frozen, itchy, “crawly,” burning, twitching, “jumpy,” aching, sore, or swollen tongue (when it isn’t).

Urgency to urinate, frequent urination, sudden urge to go to the washroom

Vomiting

Skin (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the skin):

 

Burning skin sensations, skin sensitivity

Numbness

Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling

Skin problems, infections, rashes

Sleep (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with sleep):

 

Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Frequent bad, bizarre, or crazy dreams

Hearing sounds in your head that jolt you awake

Insomnia, or waking up ill in the middle of the night

Jolting awake

Waking up in a panic attack

You feel worse in the mornings

Sight (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with sight):

 

Distorted, foggy, or blurred vision

Dry, watery or itchy eyes

Eye tricks, seeing things our of the corner of your eye that isn’t there, stars, flashes

Eyes sensitive to light

Spots in the vision

Flashing lights when eyes are closed

Your depth perception feels wrong

Touch (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with touch):

 

Burning skin sensations, skin sensitivity

Feeling cold or chilled

Numbness

Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling

Pain

Tingling, pins and needles feelings

Other anxiety symptoms are described as:

Being like a hypochondriac, muscle twinges, worry all the time, tingles, gagging, tightness in the chest, tongue twitches, shaky, breath lump, heart beat problems, head tingles, itchy tingling in arms and legs, and so many more.

 

In addition to these anxiety symptoms, you may also find yourself worrying compulsively about:

• Having a heart attack

• Having a serious undetected illness

• Dying prematurely

• Going insane or losing your mind

• Suddenly snapping

• Losing it

• Uncontrollably harming yourself or someone you love

• Losing control of your thoughts and actions

• Being embarrassed or making a fool out of yourself

• Losing control

• Fainting in public

• Not breathing properly

• Losing control of reality

• Choking or suffocating

• Being alone

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added helpful things at the top of post

'94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.
6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.
11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.
9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.
10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?
11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever.

1/13 Best I've ever felt.

3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows.

4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time.

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  • Administrator

I have never heard of zaps being an anxiety symptom, and I wondered if perhaps the Web site was mistaking withdrawal symptoms for anxiety symptoms, so I took a good look at it.

 

They aren't very straightforward about who they are, never a good sign. It looks like they might be peer counselors. They imply they're therapists but they don't claim accreditation or insurance reimbursement.

 

The educational background of the therapists varies and their certifications are not listed.

 

The fee schedule is here http://www.anxietycentre.com/terms_of_service.shtml

 

This looks like a teletherapy experiment. I'd be wary of signing up with them.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Yeah, no plans on doing so. Their approach is that anxiety, unless it has an underlying medical condition, can be resolved by specific CBT getting at your specific issues. In that it seems no different to the mainstream:

 

Based on the many years of experience with anxiety, we know that anxiety is NOT a biological disease we inherit or contract. Anxiety is something we cause. We cause ourselves anxiety because we’ve learned to live more fearfully and stressfully than others. At the root of anxiety lie unhealthy beliefs, thoughts, actions, and behaviors: the underlying factors that cause us to produce anxiety.

 

Obviously not that relevant for withdrawal anxiety, although of course we can all benefit from therapies such as CBT since we all have some level of regular old anxiety in our lives if we're human.

 

I wonder what the qualifications necessary to call yourself a coach or counsellor are in Canada.

 

There are a million sites like this on the internet. This actually seems like one of the least "out for your money" ones (for the subscription to the info, not the counseling).

 

I'm not as leary of it as I am with Gupta's amygdala retraining DVDs. Which could be helpful as well, I'm sure. The red flag just goes up for me when people misrepresent their qualifications.

'94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.
6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.
11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.
9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.
10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?
11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever.

1/13 Best I've ever felt.

3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows.

4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time.

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I wonder about the zaps, electrical sensations. The thing with a lot of these symptoms is that they are so difficult to describe and quantify that they can be easily dismissed by mental health professionals.

 

Since I never had anxiety before discontinuing meds I can't really speak to whether all my symptoms are related to anxiety or not, but it does seem that a lot of people on here who had anxiety claim there is a difference post-meds from their original condition.

 

But who's going to believe them?

 

This is kind of like how my niece had diarrhea, originally caused by strep. They gave her antibiotics. She continued to have diarrhea. So they continued to give her antibiotics. 8 months later, my sister finally pushed her insurance to cover a colonoscopy, and they found she had ulcerative colitis. Probably from overuse of antibiotics. If the side effect of the medicine mimics the "original condition" and your doctors aren't vigilant enough, you can get into some real trouble.

'94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.
6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.
11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.
9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.
10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?
11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever.

1/13 Best I've ever felt.

3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows.

4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time.

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Interesting thread, Nadia. The list was difficult for me to read because I have so many that I never had prior to the several switches and CTs by hospital in 2008.

 

The falling sensation is disturbing. It's woken me a few times although it's different than falling in a dream (or I experience it differently). One time, I actually grabbed the side of my bed while I was laying down.

 

A few nights ago, I had severe room spinning in 3D. Felt like I was in one of those acrobat balls that spins in all directions and planes.

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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Yeah... I think about my dizziness, too, and wonder if it really is anxiety related or not. I think it's just not as simple as saying, like that site does, "this is not biological or acquired". I know they are trying to calm people down who think they are having a heart attack or feel like they are going crazy or dying, but it's just not that simple!! I saw a post on Paxil Progress, a site I had only really perused many years ago, to the same effect. OK, so it's true that when you feel anxious and start getting these symptoms, you can start getting paranoid about stuff. It's true that we can overworry and overresearch and start imagining that we have diseases we don't have. I get that and recognize that thinking pattern occasionaly within myself, even if for me it doesn't take the form of worrying about a heart attack or fearing death.

 

BUT, even if there is no underlying recognizable and treatable disease, there very well IS something biological going on. In fact, I would say there most certainly is. Our brain is just another organ in the body!

 

The Psychology approach is to say that all those symptoms derive from the anxiety. Whereas I would say the anxiety is just another symptom of a set of imbalanced brain/body functions which are both physical and mental in nature (a false dichotomy, in my opinion). These functions are in constant feedback with our environment, our bodies, and our thoughts and feelings. There are a million complex loops of cause and effect.

 

That is why you can have the symptoms in isolation. For example, I don't usually get ringing in my ears concurrent with anxiety. Nor dizziness. Some symptoms seem to come together sometimes and not others. It's not just like they all derive from a condition called "anxiety"! Does this make sense?

 

Still, all the symptoms, including the anxiety, could very well be coming from a set of particular brain/body states/processes... And it's not a simple equation. Your heart can be pounding without you feeling anxious, for example. An adrenaline rush doesn't always feel bad (though after months or years of having "inappropriate" adrenaline rushes you can start associating even good ones with feeling anxious).

 

Another doubt I have is the severity or degree of the symptoms, along with the timing... getting back to how I experience dizziness. I first got dizzy before I ever experienced the anxiety I developed a few months after CTing. It was set off by being on a boat, and it was a 24/7 constant for a few months. Then it started changing. Now it is occasional. I don't usually feel dizzy in the morning, which is when I feel anxious. I tend to get dizzy at night when I'm tired. In July, when I felt really well, had zero anxiety and was sleeping normally, I still experienced dizziness late in the day.

 

So, it seems to me that it's not particularly helpful for my doctor to say the dizziness is a SYMPTOM of anxiety. That doesn't mean that I have a brain tumor or an ear infection. The cause can be just as elusive as that of the anxiety itself, but I think there should be some recognition by mental health professionals that these symptoms don't always derive from each other, or rather, that it's not always helpful to make an umbrella diagnosis of "anxiety" and dismiss the rest of the symptoms as deriving from it.

 

That is not to say that symptoms don't derieve from other symptoms sometimes... certainly if you are really anxious and you focus on everything you're feeling you can get in a worry-loop that only exacerbates the symptoms or creates new ones. So, for example, your heart is pounding and you're sweating and you start thinking you're going to have a heart attack, so you get even more anxious, which makes your heart beat even faster and your breathing to become shallow, etc....

 

I think a lot of the approaches recommended by people on this site are aimed at halting that "freak-out" response. I think over time I've gotten better at (but certainly not perfected) my ability to halt that type of escalation by observing and not exacerbating the anxiety response.

 

The flip-side of this worrying about physical illness is worrying that our environment or our thoughts are causing the symptoms, when perhaps they are not. I often wake feeling such dread and anxiety in the morning that I start freaking out that something in my life is very, very wrong and I need to change it. Certainly I would like to make some changes in my life, but once I calm down I realize my life is not EVIL and POISONOUS, like it can seem in the morning. I don't HATE living, I don't want to DIE, I DO love my family, etc. It helps on those occasions to realize I'm having what has been called on this site a "neuroemotion" (while at the same time recognizing that there may be some truth under the neuroemotion that also feeds into it).

 

My point is that ONLY considering our symptoms as "mind-generated" and derived from anxiety can be confusing and harmful in itself. I think it's important to use all the psychological tools at our disposal to get well, but also recognize that they may not be enough. Some of the approaches that may work for anxiety that is primarily created by situational stressors or negative patterns of thinking or maladaptation to stress might not work for us. I think this is the reason I like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy more than traditional CBT. It concentrates not on trying to change what you are feeling, but on accepting it and acting in spite of it. Certainly a mixed approach is also viable, and everyone is different.

 

But I don't think my dizziness, for example, can be trained away with CBT (though any anxiety caused by worrying about the dizziness can be, of course).

 

I know these are subtleties, but does this ring true for anyone else?

 

I would love to hear back especially from people who had anxiety prior to taking meds.

 

I CAN speak for depression before and after meds... I know with that there IS a difference. It's virtually impossible to piece out entirely, as many times I feel depressed now and recognize old patterns of response and thinking. BUT those are mixed in with a more persistent, deeper, more "noxious" type of depression that I had not experienced before. Perhaps it is just "dread", which I feel like a mixture of anxiety and depression, but perhaps there is something more to it.

 

I feel like, for the most part, my "withdrawal" depression has faded, but last year I felt such a deep-rooted inability to enjoy anything or feel motivated to do anything... something entirely different than I'd felt prior to meds. Also the irritability and fits of rage, or feeling absolutely no abiility to care for anyone. It's hard to piece out from my "natural tendencies" to feel down, but it also seems to me, on both a gut level and a reasoned through level, that there was something new and more dysfuctional going on after having taken meds (which thankfully seems to be clearing up, albeit in an erratic way).

 

Why does it matter, I ask myself sometimes? Why does it matter if this "condition", this "suffering" is a result of changes or maladaptations caused by an antidepressant, rather than an "inherent" or "self-developed" condition? Well, number one, having it recognized is the first step into taking action to make people aware of the dangers of these drugs. And two, I think we should consider the possibility that special approaches or treatments should be developed. Certainly, being very wary of all psychiatric meds, as we may be more vulnerable than your average person starting off on them. Also, hypersensitivity to other meds. I never had a problem with antibiotics or hydrocortisone before. Now I have to be extra-careful about what I put into my body!

'94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.
6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.
11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.
9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.
10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?
11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever.

1/13 Best I've ever felt.

3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows.

4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time.

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  • 2 months later...

Free Floating anxiety is one of my very worst symptoms. I call it that as it has no trigger, it is not thought provoked and manifests as a free flaoting sensation of terror, dread and intense anxiety.

 

These are the ways I try to cope with this symptom, please feel free to add anything you feel also helps.

 

1) CRYING!!

 

Crying is a wonderful thing and although I have had times earlier where the anxiety was too strong and I was unable to cry now Im at a point where I can, I have looked at why this helps and found a few helpful topics...

 

Interestingly, the emotional tears have high levels of protein, the hormone Prolocatin, and Manganese. The body releases these tears during times of stress and it is believed that these tears are a way of detoxifying the body and also adjusting hormonal levels.

 

PROLACTIN is a peptide hormone (a bond of several amino acids or proteins) that is release during breastfeeding to stimulate production of breast milk, and is similar to the neurotransmitter OXYTOCIN which creates a feeling of bonding with others. Prolactin provides the body with Sexual gratification after orgasm, and represses the effect of dopamine, responsible for sexual arousal.

 

High levels of Prolactin are responsible for impotence and loss of libido.

 

Prolactin decreases the normal levels of sex hormones – estrogen in women and testosterone in men.

 

So… if we cry we are releasing Prolactin which would lead to an increase in Dopamines. This is why we feel so good after a good cry since Dopamines make us feel good, give us confidence and increased motor skills and performance. It would also suggest that releasing prolactin would increase estrogen and testosterone. Crying is only a way to rebalance ourselves…. So if you need to cry, don’t hold back!

 

This article also speaks about the healing powers of crying

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/how-crying-can-make-you-healthier-1009169.html

 

 

2) WALKING/EXERCISE

 

If the anxiety is too intense then I find it helps to try to walk off the excess adrenaline, I know this is widely discussed on here, but I have to include it in my top 5 ways.

 

I have found if I try to run, this can make me feel a little worse, so a good power walk can help (often accompanied by crying)

 

 

3) DISTRACTION

 

Another obvious one, but when its all consuming all I can do sometimes is read, I know the anxiety is there and I try to read until I feel it calm a little, yes, sometimes I have to read the same paragraph many times but I do find it helps.

 

4) SELF TALK

 

Often I do this out loud, I tell myself I am safe and that this will pass and one day will be gone for good.

 

ok, well looks like its a top 4, as I dont seem to have a 5!!!

damaged by citalopram - severe suffering for 3 years now...no improvement

 

akathsiia, pgad, dp/dr, terror, and so SO many more daily

 

severly disabled and lost everything

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Thank you. I cry like a tic theses days. I can cry at everything. I really don't like how "emotional" I am. But maybe it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Lexapro 20 mg.since Aug 2009

Lamotrigine -100 mg. sept. 2009

Seroquel-50 mg.

down from 100 for 6 months.

Been going off and on lexapro since October 2012

off and on Lamotrigine since October 2012.

Incidentally, massive headaches and monthly vomiting has ceased

since October 2012.

So right now no lexapro since Dec. 28th after only taking 15 tables from Nov.12-to Dec.28,2012.

No lamotrigine since mid October 2012.

50 MG. seroquel at bedtime since June 2012.

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Thanks for the suggestions, Iggy.

 

If you think of a fifth way, please post it here! :)

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi Iggy how are you doing? Crying can just come out of nowhere. Exercise always worked best for me.

 

Lots of showers work well to or swimming/water aerobics are really healing and rejuvenating.

 

Hugs

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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exercise is my number 1 go to for anxiety - i run for 30 mins and feel a real reduction in anxiety - not always easy to get out but always feel somewhat better afterwards

Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)
Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months later
Back on effexor for another 9 months.
Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.
Back on effexor - this time for 3 years
Reduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.
Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorter
Jan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,
1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years....

4th  March 2015 - 67.5mg;   31st March - 60mg;  24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg;  9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg;  1st Dec - 25.8mg;  28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg

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I support exercise (even intense) as well!

From 2001 to 2010, I took almost continuosly a host of different SSRIs , including Prozac, Celexa and Paxil, plus various benzodiazepines and Bupropion for a limited period of time.

 

From July 2010 to April 2012 >> Duloxetine, dose ranging from 60mg to 120mg.

 

From August 2012 to September 2012 >> reinstated 30 mg of Duloxetine

 

From September 2012 until present days >> Valproic Acid/Sodium Valproate, dose ranging from 300mg to 1000mg. Now I'm on 400mg. I've also taken Amisulpride (50mg) for 9 days and Abilify (10ml) only once.

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  • 4 months later...

Found this product while researching the MindSpa system (Mind Machine) which is one of those light & sound gadjects. The EquiSyni claims to be able to treat deppression, anxiety, & addictions for ever..

Also claims to boost seratonine, GABA, melatonin, endorphins, DHEA & other things.

(might interest all you magic bullet seekers out there haha.. oh yeah, that's me to lol !)

Heavy claims.. what do you think ?

 

See this link for more details:

 

http://www.eocinstitute.org/anxiety_depression_addiction_worry_fear_s/49.htm

http://www.eocinstitute.org/dhea_gaba_cortisol_hgh_melatonin_serotonin_endorphins_s/48.htm

 

.. be excellent to each other ;)

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  • 7 months later...

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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08 Cipralex 10mg for about 6 months. 11-12 Cipralex 20mg. Unsuccesful WD. 12-13 Zoloft 100mg with Diazepam 10-20mg as needed for anxiety.
Fall 13 Tapering Zoloft 100->50->25->12,5->0 in 2,5 months and CT Diazepam. 12/24/13 RI Zoloft 12,5mg
.

1/21/14 11mg

3/18/14 9,9mg

2/18/14 8mg

4/22/14 7,6mg

5/5/14 7,2mg

5/12/14 -> cutting 0,5mg per week, holding when necessary.

8/18/14 -> cutting 0,25mg per week holding when necessary.

10/20/2014 -> cutting 0,1mg per week, holding when necessary.
12/28/2014 Jump!

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  • 4 months later...

My therapist taught me this technique for dealing with extreme distress.

 

http://dailydbt.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/tip-skills/

 

It works. You can replace the progressive muscle relaxation with an enjoyable activity. I was feeling overwhelmed the other day and as soon as I got home from work did this. Cold shower, then push-ups, then went outside and practiced casting my fly rod for awhile. I then did 20 mins of stretching. It took 50% of the edge off.

2013 Jan-Mar (12 weeks) Cymbalta 60mg (way too activating)2013 Apr-May (8 weeks) Pristiq 50mg (partial response)2013 Jun-Aug (12 weeks) Lexapro (can't remember dose); caused muscle and joint painSep 13 to Jan 14 (20 weeks) Back to Prsitiq, muscle pain subsides but drug not working2014 Feb - Mar (8 weeks) Celexa 10mg (not even therapeutic dose), killed all depression and anxiety within 1 week but severe pain started within 5 days in back and lower extremities.2014 April (4 weeks) Effexor, worked like Celexa seamless transition, pain continuesThere was some Gabapentin, Buspar, Propranalol tossed there from time to time as well that did nothing.<p>Switched to Cymbalta 30mg on April 17. Dr directed stop on May 7th. I went down to 15mg within a week and felt OK, then to 10mg for 5 days and stopped.

Current Meds: 5-10mg Ambien, 1.5MG Xanax XR in 3 divided doses of .5MG each.  25mg Seroquel as a rescue drug for sleep.

 

Supplements:  Fish Oil, combination of Theratears Nutrition (designed for dry eye and is recommend by my ophthalmologist) and Arctic Pure.  Total EPA and DHA are 1540mg spilt between AM and PM.  NutNCology Magnesium Citrate, 170mg in the evening.  Twinlabs B-12 sublingual Dots, 500mcg (AM).

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