[Ash0104]

I've had severe generalized anxiety disorder along with severe panic disorder with agorophobia for as long as I can remember. I've been on meds forever, and they seem to take the edge off but they don't completely eliminate the symptoms. One of the symptoms that is unbearable is that I gag and dry heave almost every morning until I either calm myself down finally or my AM meds kick in. But it's terrible its uncontrollable, I'll just gag and dry heave over and over again, and I can't make it stop. It started happening my freshman year of college and now in my sophomore year its gotten worse. I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this. And if so how did you deal with? And what happened to you?
Let me know I'm scared

[Parker10]

That doesnt sound like any fun at all , I am so sorry you go thru that almost every morning ! A few thoughts, could you take your night meds alittle later ? Could you set your alarm for 1 hour before you need to get up - take your morning meds, go back to sleep for the hour, and maybe they will kick in so this doesn't happen? Or the old standard - have some saltine crackers by your bed and nibble a few before getting up.

What meds do you take for your PAD and at what times of day? Do you ever get the dry heaves any other time of day when anxious? Have you every had your blood sugar checked????? WHen I was a teen, I woke up about 5 AM almost everyday with an upset stomach - turned out my sugar dropped really bad during the night. So - instead of meds for the sugar drop , I had to drink a whole soda ( NOT sugar free) and eat a piece of hard candy RIGHT BEFORE I layed down at night to go to sleep. It took care of the early morning upset tummy for me ! Good luck ! Hopefully something will help ! OH - do you know diaphragmatic breathing techniques? That might help when u first awake as well to calm yourself.

[weather]

I have and sometimes still do, but in my case it is situational, not chemical. It is because I am living a new life somewhere else and it is scarey. This may not help, but it helps me.
Can you study yourself and try to get to some of the root causes of your anxiety? Would it be worry over a heavy work load, grades, or something else? Maybe write a note to yourself about it. What do you fear, and what do you think the worst that can happen is? Is it very horrible? What changed in your life to start the anxiety? What is different since it got worse?
Walter Cronkite advised a new reporter with stage fright to consider the worst that could happen to her if she fell apart on the air.. Would she die? No. Would her family and friends stop loving her? No. Would she be embarrassed. Yes. She went on the air thinking the worst wasn't so bad.
If you look at the anxiety more clinically and less personally, maybe it will help. Excercise and the breathing techniques Parker mentioned might help too. Good luck.

[Zorah]

Yes, it happens to lots of us, it is an extreme anxiety symptom.
weather has got some smart ideas.
PM if you are scared to post, all of us have trouble posting sometimes. None of the meds really do the job, as advertised, not even the so-called pain killers.

[Ash0104]

As far as meds I'm on Xanax XR 2mg- 4 mg in the AM, and 2 mg in the afternoon/evening, then Alprazolam .5 in the morning and as needed, and risperadal .25 in the AM and as needed. As far as what I am afraid of is throwing up I am terrified of it that is what most of my anxiety is centered around health issues especially stomach problems.
So, I'm at a loss the drive heaving and the gagging is just getting worse and I'm not sure what to do anymore nothing helps...

[ktp]

Ash:

I have to say that stomach issues is EXTREMELY common in people with anxiety disorders. Especially with panic attacks. Stomach problems was one of the main symptoms that sent me to my doctor. My first diagnosis was Irritable Bowel Syndrome (which I now know from my doc and research is a symptom of GAD) When the meds for stomach issues DIDN'T work coupled with the fact that I couldn't leave my house without getting a stomach ailment (diarrhea, sorry I know it's gross) But I mean, everytime I was in public, I had to run to the bathroom. After a time we figured out that this was anxiety related, once I got on the proper amount of anxiety meds, it stopped. I was so happy. It's still that way -- unless I take my meds. Sometimes it even breaks through with the meds. Perhaps the Xanax just isn't working anymore. That's what I take and fortunately it's still working for me, but my doctor said instead of increasing that dosage, perhaps we'll try a stronger or longer lasting anxiety med. Good luck to you!

Take care,
Kimberly.

[Parker10]

ASh - I would seriously consider seeing a specialist about the anxiety issues, but more importantly, that is a MAJOR amount of Xanax. Xanax has a short half life, meaning u get the benefits but it wears off. Taking so much in the AM, is a strange way to take it, and not taking it again til afternoon. Its worn off before you take more. You arent taking anything at night ! No wonder you have bad mornings !!! Even taking 1 mg of Xanax at night wont last til morning. I would see about a longer acting benzo - if you get relief from the Xanax during the day. I used to take Xanax every 4 hours (and I watched the clock and didnt go 4 hours and 1 minute ! ) Then I saw a Psychiatrist who deals ONLY with medication issues for people with panic and anxiety disorders. He weaned me off the Xanax slowly while starting me on Klonopin ( another benzo but with a LONG half life). It was the miracle for me ! I have no panic anymore, and have been on same doseage of Klonopin for 15 years. (My BIGGEST fear during my panic days - and still - was throwing up........and unfortunately, being afraid of something is "fuel for the fire" and when we start thinking things like .."oh no, its morning, PLEASE dont let me get the heaves before my meds kick in", you are sorta setting yourself up for it to happen. Believe it or not, without FEAR there can be no anxiety or panic ! I work with folks with PAD , feel free to PM me anytime..........there IS life after panic !

((((((((ASH)))))))))))
Sorry you have to go through that every morning.

[Ash0104]

The Xanax XR is a long lasting drug its extended release xanax so its in my system for about 6-8 hrs...that's why I'm on it-thanks for your help everyone -I'm still at somewhat of a loss...not really sure what do anymore...I've pretty much given up on everything...

[Myzen]

Hi Ash,

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I have that as well and I thought I was the only one. For me it comes with panic attacks which are quite rare thank goodness. Someone described it as a 'severe anxiety symptom' and I would agree with that completely.

We all have different levels of symptoms and different things happening to us. The only suggestion I have is that the symptoms usually lessen if we can encompass them. Maybe through breathing or meditation, any kind of calming exercise, we can work through the bit that frightens us the most. As others here have said, it's no picnic, and I send my my most peaceful thoughts to you over this.

Myzen.

[kelbelle65]

Hi Ash,

I used to have that gagging and wretching in the morning and sometimes I would throw up. I always thought it was somehow related to allergies or sinus problems. I'm so sorry you go through that. It really is no fun. I hope you find a solution.

Kelly

[ickydog2006]

I don't have that problem in the morning, but it happens whenever I get worried. I hate it because I usually can't do anything to calm me down. It started my Junior year of highschool and at first I thought I had the flu. Luckily my dad noticed and took me to the doctor. It use to happen to his dad and himm and all his siblings. They gave me some meds to take if I know I am going to worry about something, but usually they don't even work. Some days if I have a test at school I end up throwing up in the bathroom for all of the class period. Usually I have to just wait it out. I wish you luck. I know it sucks, but you can make it through. I know a lot of the times it feels like you can't, but you can.