Stress Center Peer Support

I go through bad anxiety EVERY summer. I finally realized it's triggered by my bad allergies which are triggered by everything that grows here and the AC system which pulls it all inside for me. I get so many weird sensations you'd think I'd learn!

But I don't. I'm going through a bad bout now. I keep having weird head "zaps". Not sure if it's because I finally weaned off my Lexapro a week ago (I had been on a 2.5 mgs dose 2 or 3 times a week for several months after taking 18 months to come down from a full dose) or my plugged ears and stuffed up nose.

I feel moments of total spaceyness and like my heart has stopped (which it hasn't, pulse and rhythm are FINE) or I stopped breathing. I feel a "zap" in my head, feels like it goes from one side to the other and makes me stop and think IS THIS A SEIZURE? AM I DYING? And I get all upset.

Help. I'm TOTALLY worse at work probably from ventilation system and because I feel "alone" here. It also makes me feel ill in the pit of my tummy when I get upset.

I don't know if this is because of my ears or if it's from the meds or something else. I told my doctor who shrugged it off. I hope she understood what I was saying. She attributed it all to allergies. I had a hard time expressing the sensation in words.

My neck is also soo uptight that it keeps creaking and cracking.

Help. Any coping skills or kind words of empathy are greatly appreciated! I don't have nearly the anxiety over it I would have a year ago, but still not coping as well as I could.

I just came from getting my hair cut where they now have what's called a Ther-Saun. It's a sauna that's recommended by Drs. for all the things you mentioned and especially fibromyalgia, arthritis, joint and muscle pain. It's also to help detox and rid yourself of calories and allergies. It cost $39.95 for one month and I could go as often as I want. I think I'll try it. I have a friend who did and the stylist said it gave her more energy. Check around, maybe they have something like that near you. Good luck!

Thank you, Robin!
I think I was always an anxious person, but it took the constant worrying over my health to bring it all to a head (no pun intended!!)! I think I saw too many issues in my family and I started to freak about MY health and bam, let the attacks begin!

How long did you have the head zaps? Is it pretty normal and "non deadly" then??

Originally posted by pinkeetoz:
As session 2 says, don't fight your anxious feeling, float with it, don't feed it with what if-ing, bring yourself back into the moment and breath. I just weaned off of zoloft and I'm having moments of feeling off balance. I've weaned from Lexapro and every other ssri on the market, paxil gave me brain zaps big time. One very interestin thing I read is that your anxiety is related to allergies, I am in bed right now recooperating from sinus surgery, huh, I think I'll get to my ENT doc soon for allergy testing, thanks, good for you for reaching out, robin

I weaned from paxil, the one that gave me those brain zaps over three years ago, I'm still here! Remember, YOU are builing adrenaline and YOU are making your anxiety worse, can you listen to your relaxation cd, go for a walk? Are you BREATHING, one thousand one, two, (inhale) one thousand one-four (exhale)?

Breathing is key and I keep telling myself that! I actually have it on my iPod so I can listen at work and I escape to my car when I can. I'm actually doing oodles better than I would have in the past. Thank you for your encouragement and reminder!!!! When you said, "I'm still here" that did it!:)

Originally posted by pinkeetoz:
I weaned from paxil, the one that gave me those brain zaps over three years ago, I'm still here! Remember, YOU are builing adrenaline and YOU are making your anxiety worse, can you listen to your relaxation cd, go for a walk? Are you BREATHING, one thousand one, two, (inhale) one thousand one-four (exhale)?