HELP!? I have anxiety and I need some advice! Please!?

Question

Ok, I have had anxiety for years.

I am newly diagnosed with IBS, and every time I leave the house, or get nervous, I have to go to the bathroom (#2)

So I have to go running home.

I also have very very bad hypochondria.

Any advice out there? I am sick of thinking I am sick all the time, when in reality I am probably not. No doctor's advice or web pages help, they just make my hypo and my anxiety worse.

I am going to try wellbutrin (the bupropreon off brand)

it is 150 mg.

however, i am scared to death of pills!

with my ibs, i can get nauseaus and puke very easily if my tummy gets irritated, and i am afraid the wellbutrin will do that, or make me loopy, or something.

can i cut wellbutrin extended-release in half? my dad is on wellbutrin and he does it, and i think i would feel a little better about taking them if i could do that.

help! advice please?

Answer 1

I have an anxiety disorder too, pills have helped me a lot. But if you don't like pills meditation helped me when i was not on pills. When you start feeling panicky take a deep breath in and say "1" then exhale. take a deep breath in and say "2" then exhale. Go on breathing and counting that way and i promise you will relax.  

Answer 2

I take 400mg of Wellbutrin and I get no side effects as long as I take them consistantly. I don't think Wellbuterin has much in the way of anti anxiety effects though. My ex used to have anxiety issues and medication really helped.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm in the SAME boat as you are. I'm on an antidepressant and benzodiapezine. Antidepressant is supposed to combat anxiety and the benzo is a temporary drug to calm the nervous system down. I've also had anxiety problems for 2+ years; it started with panic attacks.

Anxiety is when your central nervous system is overworking and your whole body is "over-reacting;" of course, that's a simplified statement.

Whenever I don't take my pills, my stomach acts up: I get severe bloating like I'm pregnant, constipation, etc. Also as a symptom of anxiety, my face get terribly red... Because my face has been turning red for such a long time, I have rosacea...my face literally hurts everyday.

I've been on the benzo (ativan, clonopin, valium, etc) for 2+ years now and the antidepressant (Effexor XR, Lexapro, and Cymbalta). It seems that Effexor XR has given me the least side effects; however, I really have not seen that much improvement in my anxiety with the antidepressant alone. I also have to take a benzo on type of it to feel "marginally better."

The doctor wants me to get off the benzo and let the antidepressant battle the anxiety, but I just can't seem to function without the benzo...

I've bought many self-help books, too. Those books tell you to relax and meditate. They also tell you to breathe as deeply and slowly as you can when you relax. Also try to breathe slowly and deeply in general as it will slow down your central nervous system.  

I think a good combination of medications, meditation, and breathing correctly will help out. That's what I'm trying right now and, hopefully, it will work. Good luck with you. I hope we'll get through this!