[WarpedTrekker]

This is RUINING MY LIFE!
I am 47yo, male. took Prozac and zoloft in past for depression/anxiety. Now on Multaq for AFIB so I cant take those, but take Lamictal instead.

I'm taking Lamictal 75mg for anxiety, and also take Klonpin(clonazepam) as needed. I've had panic disorder for years, but haven't had a panic attack in awhile. But I keep having these damn anxiety episodes. They happen anywhere. Once I had a severe anxiety episode in my grocery store. Actually several episodes, and barely got out of there without passing out on the ground.

Now at home, I was reclined back on my recliner, watching TV or using my laptop. And I'll have an extreme anxiety episode come on. Sometimes I shake very badly. Other times it feels like it will go into a Panic attack, but I try to remain calm so it doesn't. Another time it happened after I was finished talking to my mom at night. I was on my bed getting ready to sleep, and I got major anxiety attack.

I had a BRAIN MRI in 2011, that showed some "There are numerous nonspecific punctate T2 hyperintensities
within the white matter that are advanced for the patient's age."
My doctor never really said much about it at the time. So I asked my current doctor, and he agreed to do another MRI this year. But I'm not sure if it will be of any benefit. I've gone to a spinal doctor, and they said one of my discs is a little compressed, but they didnt think it was causing anxiety.

But it is very peculiar that depending on how I sit in a chair or in a recliner, it will aggravate the anxiety.

Should I maybe go to the Mayo clinic?

[Skeezyks]

I'm sorry you are experiencing all of this anxiety. It's been a few days since you posted this. Perhaps circumstances have changed? You asked about going to the Mayo Clinic. Of course this is not really something anyone but your physician, perhaps, can really advise you on. The Mayo Clinic certainly does have an international reputation. People from all over the world go there when they need cutting-edge medical care. And I don't think it ever hurts to get a second or even a third opinion. Doctors don't always get it right any more than anyone else does.

I personally have never heard of spinal compression causing anxiety. But the fact I haven't heard of it doesn't mean it couldn't be possible. I think what I would do, if it were me, would be to talk it over with my doctor. And then perhaps see if there is some sort of intake office at the Mayo Clinic facility you would attend & see if they could advise you regarding the appropriateness of being seen there. (It may take a few phone calls to find someone who can help I would presume.) You would want to make sure your visit would be covered by whatever medical insurance you have though. I doubt services at the Mayo Clinic come cheap. Good luck with this!

[WarpedTrekker]

Well my doctor started me on Lamictal for anxiety. I've heard very bad things about this drug. Lamictal rash, etc. I was on it a short time in the past but thought it gave me anxiety. But actually now I'm on 75mg currently and my anxiety has improved. I haven't had much of any anxiety at all and no attacks while walking into public places.

I'm still concerned about that rash developing. But my psychiatrist claims that if I see any rash just immediately stop it and it should go away. And that they have a lot of people on Lamictal with very little issues. She says about 1 in 100 get the rash.

Due to me being on Multaq for AFIB, I couldn't take any SSRI or SNRI. But my heart doctor is now having me stop Multaq, since I haven't had any breakthru AFIB for two years.

Once I'm off of Multaq for a few days, I have the option to switch from Lamictal to something like Lexapro.

I just hope my heart doesn't go crazy with arrhythmia being off Multaq. But cardiologist didn't want me to stay on it at my age 46yo because anti-arrythmics can be proarrythmic at times and he has seen people die from them.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this, WarpedTrekker Do you see a therapist? Maybe that could help. You could learn some new ways to cope with your anxiety. It sounds like you're going through a lot. I'm so sorry, please don't give up. Just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you if you need to talk. I don't have a lot of advice to give, unfortunately, but I'm here to listen if you need it. I'm glad you're getting a bit better! Anxiety is hard to deal with. But it can be done. Keep fighting. Stay strong. Try to hang on. You can do this! You're strong, I know that. I believe in you. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Cassim]

Hang in there. I gave up on my anxiety medication. The side effects from Zoloft were horrible. I am 46 years old and now I just meditate and exercise. I let the negative thoughts pass through me without attaching any emotion to it. Ever since I stopped giving emotional attention to them the frequency and impact has been reduced. However, there are days where it becomes overwhelming. Then I try breathing exercises to calm me down. I hope my experience might help you. If you need further help let me know as I am in the same boat as well.