Treatment begins again...

flaxenfire · Post by **flaxenfire** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:28 pm

Hi everyone,
I posted a few days ago about my constant anxiety, and finally feel like I'm heading in the right direction.
I went to the doctor about something unrelated but they seemed more concerned about my high blood pressure and racing pulse(due to the anxiety). My doctor put me on a beta-blocker for my physical symptoms and another medication (can't recall the name) that is supposed to help me sleep more soundly. I tend to feel both fatigued and "keyed up" at the same time, all of the time, and this has severly impacted my life. I can still hold down a (part-time) job, but I constantly worry about my health, the well-being of close family (for example, when the roads are icy due to winter weather, I worry that my sister and her two young sons will have a car accident on the way to daycare)...I also worry about finances and self-fulfillment.
I'm planning on seeing a psychologist again to deal with this ongoing battle (in fact, it's the same psychologist I saw for a year back in 2001). But I might stay on for longer than a year this time, because my generalized anxiety seems chronic and was begun in my childhood, but really didn't become a full-fledged disorder until adulthood.
So, I just wanted to update you all on this. I feel good about the meds because they are non-addictive and not like SSRI's, which I have had strong side effects to in the past. The physical manistifcations of my anxiety are strong enough that I need something to provide relief.
So, I feel good about starting the treatment process again, because I am so desparate to feel better. My anxiety has affected my confidence in myself, my work situations over the years, and my marriage (though, thankfully, my husband of almost two years is very understanding, though like me, frustrated with my problem. He wants to stand with me and fight this with me).
Just thought I'd share.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:56 pm

I went to the doctor several times over what is turning out to be part of my hypochondriasis problem and every time my blood pressure has been very high. The doctors say it is white coat syndrome and I shouldn't worry but I have never had high blood pressure before & all of a sudden it has been very high at my last 3 visits. I take a low dose beta blocker for anxiety but I think I might need to start taking a higher dosage for my bp. I'm only 34.

I have just started therapy again(since 2001 also)and have basically the same story as you - it started in childhood and got worse as an adult.

Good luck with your anxiety - I just wanted to write to let you know that I understand.