[kjb1985]

Last January i had my first anxiety attack, and ive been ok ever since learning about it and what it was. I still suffer from depression and take 20mg of citralopram. I was so glad the anxiety fearful, scared, irrational thinking was gone, but lately i feel like it coming on again. I feel uncomfortable, tense, and unsure and fearful of what the day will bring, or what my future holds. I understand i should think one day at a time but it seems almost impossible. Does anyone else with anxiety have stomach problems? I feel so nauseous and havent been eating much. I just feel like a wreck, i have xanax's but i try and only use those if i really feel i need them. my life is by no means easy, and i am fed up with pretty much every aspect of my life, but i really dont think that i should feel like this its not THAT bad, however something in my brain is telling me it is bad, and i should worry. I just want to feel "normal" whatever that is, and i dont know how.

[theotterone]

Originally Posted by kjb1985

Last January i had my first anxiety attack, and ive been ok ever since learning about it and what it was. I still suffer from depression and take 20mg of citralopram. I was so glad the anxiety fearful, scared, irrational thinking was gone, but lately i feel like it coming on again. I feel uncomfortable, tense, and unsure and fearful of what the day will bring, or what my future holds. I understand i should think one day at a time but it seems almost impossible. Does anyone else with anxiety have stomach problems? I feel so nauseous and havent been eating much. I just feel like a wreck, i have xanax's but i try and only use those if i really feel i need them. my life is by no means easy, and i am fed up with pretty much every aspect of my life, but i really dont think that i should feel like this its not THAT bad, however something in my brain is telling me it is bad, and i should worry. I just want to feel "normal" whatever that is, and i dont know how.

Aw hon! I totally get where you are! Been there, done that, occasionally visit...

A couple of things come to mind...***DISCLAIMER! As stated in my signature, I am not a mental health or medical professional. These are my experiences and opinions only!*** One is to talk to your pdoc (if you have one, otherwise your primary care doc or be referred to a psychiatrist ) about the increase in symptoms. While what you are going through is typical, you want to be clear about the medications you are on. By the time I got to my great pdoc 9 years ago, others had me addicted to Xanax and not really providing me with any real help. A different combination, different types of meds may help. Unfortunately, there isn't an exact science to this. It also means being VERY honest with your pdoc, which can be really really hard. It's scary, feeling vulnerable with a stranger, even if they are a doctor. It took us a few years of the 9 we have worked together to get our relationship to the point that I am a partner in my medicine decisions. It' IS NOT just him handing me a prescription and then saying "take this, no questions". I even signed a waver so that I can communicate with him by email.

I have also found meditations (guided or "thought flowing") helpful. Also, de-stressing techniques are out there to help slow your breathing. When using these things in combination with medication, I found I was able do better using both rather then one or the other. Hope this helps!

[Anneinside]

I am anxious and have been since last Wednesday. Like you, I try not to take any xanax or ativan except when it gets real bad. I have had two panic attacks (1 today) and I hate them... definitely take xanax then. Meanwhile, my back and necks crawls, my stomach is tight and I'm hypervigilant, jumping at the slightest sound or movement nearby. I keep trying to tell myself that there isn't any danger, I'm okay. Not working so far.

[billieJ]

(((((((((((((((((kjb)))))))))))))))))))))))) Yes, stomach problems do coincide with anxiety at times. I have had 2-3 anxiety attacks and would surely have another one if I tried to drive my car anywhere but in this small town. Anxiety fears are not very reasonable. Depression and anxiety tell you that life is much worse than it actually is. When you get nauseus with anxiety, try to eat something - like a favorite food or even bits of crackers. billieJ

[VickiesPath]

Hi kjb1985,

It is possible that your anxiety is causing the stomach problems, yes. Some antidepressants treat anxiety also. The one I take does. It's Effexor XR. However, I would suggest, if you have insurance or can affort it, you might want to take it's second generation version, Pristiq. It is more "user friendly", as I like to say. There are fewer side effects (there aren't that many actually) and it is easier to titrate down. But Effexor and Pristiq both act on anxiety very well. Unfortuantely, there are not generic versions of these drugs available in the states yet. I'm not sure what the others are but I do hope that you are consulting with a psychiatrist for your psych meds as a regular intern or internal medicine (family practitioner) doctor is not usually practiced enough in prescribing psychotropic medications to do it well.

Just some information I thought might help.

(((kjb1985))) stress bothers my stomach. And other things too.
I agree with what vickie said have the meds checked if you can.