u/JustMe5275

Is there anything out there that helps with acute anxiety without making it worse to start with. I am so disappointed with everything I tried. Keep reading positive stories how people got better taking this or that and nothing works for me. Sertraline, escitalopram, buspirone, mirtazapine, diazepam, pregabalin and I didn’t even wanted to take anything to start with. all gave me crazy side effects and no relief…
Dr want to try Amitriptyline next, I am in therapy as well, keep trying with BHRT (probably in peri). this level of anxiety is just a pure torture ☹️

46, most likely in peri and… What is this shit!! Seriously… the worst 6 months of my life… I am in therapy, trying all sorts of meds, hoping to start P only bhrt next week. E and P didn’t work, I think E was making my anxiety worse…

It is non stop. The anxiety has now turned into intrusive thoughts… harm OCD maybe?
The tension will rise and rise, then the thought will come, will get horrible anxiety attack and then I just cry uncontrollably for 20 minutes until I feel bit better… and then the cycle starts again. I get maybe 6-8 better days in a month? Is it even possible that this is because of hormones??

I am sick of meditating, relaxing, supplements. Two walks in the forest a day… currently on low dose of pregabalin after trying 3 antidepressants, buspirone, hydroxyzine and benzo, nothing is touching it!! I feel like i am losing my mind! 😞

Hi all, could someone recommend an online somatic experiencing practitioner in UK? Unfortunately there are no practitioners in my area…

I am 46 and guessing I am in peri, even thought my periods are still very regular. What I did notice are the changes to my mood and anxiety. All my life I would get bit tired, moody and weepy for a few days before my period. As soon as bleeding started I would feel absolutely fine again, clear headed, happy, motivated.

For the last 3 cycles that pattern seems to reversed. For the last 4/5 day of my cycle I feel really great, anxiety levels low and then as soon as I wake up on the day of my period I just know I am going to get it! Brain fog, dizziness, anxiety and intrusive thoughts through the roof!
What gives?? ☹️

So I finally started pregabalin last night. Took 25mg last night and 25mg this morning (as prescribed).
All I am feeling today is just grogginess and some dizzy spells, I could just fall asleep right here right now… the anxiety and panic is as bad as ever though.
So of course I am panicking even more. Read so many stories about it working for people straight away, that it doesn’t need to build up. Then I read that it only ever helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety…
I am now convinced I will be the one the pregabalin does not work for… same as with the 4 SSRI/SNRI I have already tried.
I always get so hopeful and then feel so disappointed 😞

Can someone please confirm that pregabalin needs time and possibly a dose increase before it starts to work at all?! Is it possible to have side effects and no relief initially? How long should I wait? I need it to work so bad!!

I tried 4 different SSRI/SNRI from the GP but unfortunately the activation and side effects were too much for me and I was not able to push through.
It’s been 5 months of constant anxiety with intrusive thoughts, I think I am now depressed as well 😞 finally saw a psychiatrist yesterday and he prescribed 25mg of pregabalin twice a day. I know it is a tiny dose but, surprise surprise, my anxiety prevents me from taking it… I am worried it will left me depressed and low. I am worried that once the anxiety, fear and intrusive thoughts go away, I will be left exhausted and seriously depressed.

Did you try pregabalin for your anxiety? Please share your experience as I have no idea what, if anything, to expect. TIA!!

My therapist admitted she is on antidepressants and has been for years. She also said half of her girlfriends are as well… she referred me to a psychiatrist and mentioned her son used to see him as well. While I am not against meds and appreciate some people simply need them to function, what does that really tell me about what she has to offer therapy wise? I feel like she basically admitted therapy is pointless without meds, and she wasn’t able to help herself, her son or any of her friends? With the amount of money she charges for CBT/EMDR, I am bit concerned…
What do you think, red flags or not?

Hi all, probably something that has been posted here many many times, but I just need to let it out… long one, sorry!

I had a bad anxiety episode that lasted few months 14 years ago. Once I learned what it was and got into therapy I got better and was fine since. Yes, I would still get anxious in certain situations and get a panic attack every now and then, but they would come and go and wouldn’t really bother me.

Last December was bit stressful with normal life stresses, they I got a nasty cold and ended up taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection.

Few weeks later, in January, I got a nasty panic attack at a dentist (not one of my triggers by the way), and it feels like that one never stopped and I still suffer 5 months later.

I am 46, so hormones may be playing a part in it.
I have been in therapy for the last 3 months. Mediation, relaxation, walking 2 times a day, herbs and supplements, tried HRT for 3 months, nothing helps!!

The anxiety turned into intrusive harm thoughts and the loop is now fuelling itself.

I tried sertraline, managed 3 days, was too activating. Buspirone didn’t do anything, good or bad. Mirtazapine too activating at 15mg, works great for sleep at around 5mg. Diazepam and hydroxyzine make me sleepy, hardly touch the anxiety.

I thought I was getting bit better so to help myself through the last hurdle I have asked for escitalopram. Took 2.5mg only, the activation started on day 3. I tried to push through, got to day 7 and had to give up as I was unable to function. Stopped 4 days ago and still having the worse anxiety, panic and intrusive thoughts since it all started.

I am scared and lost and I am about to spent a small fortune on a private psychiatrist… back on 7.5mg mirtazapine so I can at least sleep and eat something but I am worried that even that dose is making my anxiety worse.

I need to hear your success stories, please!!! I am so scared that I am now depressed and will never get better. Fear is my default state, I no longer feel love, joy or excitement… I have a little child and it seems I just get frustrated and shout at him all the time and it makes me feel even worse. I don’t recognise myself and I don’t remember what it is like to feel normal. Mornings are the worse. There are some evenings when I feel almost normal and then the whole thing starts again in the morning…

What worked for you??