cant relax enough to do it, Been on Xanax 17 years trying to get off it.A Dr, told me to try 5HTP along with the xanax,anyone know about it? Also that day in ER Dr. did an EKG,said it was normal and all my symtoms are my anxiety.I went this morning and got a copy of the Ekg and it clearly says abnormal ECG....now Im so scared. How can I just relax enough to breath normal without thinking about it.My hands feel swollwn....my xanax really does not help...Any advice?
2007-02-27 09:49:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Your EKG may have been called abnormal because the rate was high d/t your anxiety. If it says abnormal, it must give the reason why it's abnormal. If there is nothing specific recorded, then there is not a serious problem.
Are you seeing a mental health specialist? Do you go to a counselor or a psychiatrist? Xanax is to be used for short-term treatment. No one should be on Xanax around the clock for 17 years. That's nuts!! I can't believe a doctor would permit that; are you seeing the same doctor for all those years??
You need stability in your treatment as well as your life. There are some wonderfully effective medications for anxiety that have come out in the past few years, certainly many in the past 17 years. 5HTP is not going to solve your problem.
Please, go to an internist or family practice doctor. ER docs are fine for emergencies, but they don't know your history and they don't do follow-up visits for the most part. Find a family doctor who can direct you to a good psychiatrist who can get you off the Xanax and find something else that will be much more effective. Don't go cold turkey off the Xanax; you've been on it too long and may have serious physical reactions.
Maybe your hands are swollen. So what? I've never known anyone to die of swollen hands. Are you eating a good diet, watching your salt intake, drinking enough fluids, getting exercize (which helps you secrete good hormones and increase your feeling of well-being), cutting out all coffee and caffeine from you diet? Do you eat a lot of sugar and white foods?
You need a good professional to work with you and follow-up with you. Your doctor, if you have one, isn't doing a good job.
2007-02-27 10:32:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't be scared. If you haven't seen an endocrinologist, you could be suffering from adrenal fatigue + high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) which can give you anxiety, panic, heart palpitations, and make you feel like you're heart is going to explode.
5htp works to increase the serotonin in your body, BUT if you have high cortisol , in some people 5htp can actually cause more stress.
Xanax may have stopped working for you because over time, the neurotransmitters become immune to it
There are many things you can do- one of which is a change of diet and getting off sugar. Having your adrenals checked for fatigue or adrenal exhaustion (if you feel you're "buzzing" with energy for no reason, that's a sing) and having an endocrinologist check your hormone levels will be a huge help.
You very well may not be able to relax if you adrenals are pumping too hard, and your cortisol is way too high. Your heart wouldn't show any real problem- because the hormones are causing your heart to race.
"If you have symptoms such as tiredness, fearfulness, allergies, frequent influenza, arthritis, anxiety, depression, reduced memory and difficulties in concentrating, insomnia, worn-out, inability to loose weight after extensive efforts, you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue (technically known as hypoadrenia). "
2007-02-27 19:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by Violet Pearl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to sit around and count my heartbeats .all this started when i was 18.i had a good life somewhat,but was a victim of panic attacks that have lasted all my life .however in order to die something has to kill you,keep that in mind so if you are healthy try and not panic and take the xanax when needed and don`t dare stop abruptly.welcome to the 25% of people who know they need help. worry about the 75%who don`t know they need it.I am 50 now and am coping day by day with a benzo named klonipoin similar to xanax.good luck to you and try and relax
2007-02-27 18:29:05 · answer #3 · answered by scott s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why are you so scared,think about it if the doctor told you your EKG was ok,if he had lied to you he could get sued for malpractice,calm down have you been reading some material that makes you think you are going to die or something,the xanax on the other hand is going to be a problem,why are you so terrified,you are letting your imagination go and it is causing you to hyper-ventilate,how old are you and are you a hypochondriacte there is no reason for your fears
2007-02-27 18:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I am about to recommend Is absolutely NOT what any medical professional in their right mind would. after all, It may go horribly wrong, and you Could die, But if it were me I'd take the risk and end the suffering. Quit all the med. focus on exercise, self discipline and meditation. go get some internal martial arts training. Not tae quan do or karate. be specific on internal martial arts. they focus differently. then see if you stabilize after you detox off all the drugs, if you don't go nuts and kill yourself or go into withdrawal seizures from some of the med and die, you should be fine.
2007-02-27 18:15:29 · answer #5 · answered by krimlen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. May I suggest you look up and begin studying perfect relaxation? There are several things going in your life, apparently, and you need to take control of them yourself. Studying relaxation technics will lead you to self hipnosis. But you'll need to find a time when you are naturally relaxed to engage perfect relaxation. Good luck. E-mail me
2007-02-27 18:28:56 · answer #6 · answered by Handy man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋