Calicofish

Two weeks ago I posted about having waves of unrelenting anxiety for 3 weeks straight. I went to the ER (clinic told me to) and was given an EKG, had some blood work done and was prescribed a low dose of beta-blocker. Results: blood work is normal. My anxiety has dissipated. I still experience the occasional flare of PVCs, but they do not escalate into waves. It is unknown at this time whether the beta-blockers have provided me with relief, or whether this anxiety free time has just tamed down on its own. My doctor has advised me to stop the medication and see what happens. If anxiety returns to the unrelenting waves, then I am to take the medication for at least a week.

So - I may be able to use the medication on an as-need basis (for a weeks period at least). Or - maybe it will show I need to be on it all the time.

I am relieved that the anxiety/panic has stopped.

59Woodwall

I'm glad your anxiety has stopped. that must weight off your mind?

Hawkeye13

I had horrible intense waves of anxiety which did dissipate with continued sobriety. Sounds like you have a strong plan for managing this and I am very glad you are feeling better calico.

Anna

That's really good news, Calico.

Calicofish

Hi Hawkeye - I've been sober over 5.5 years. Usually, my anxiety doesn't last for weeks on end. In the past, I may have episodes of several days, then go weeks without anything. This past streak was so intense that I had a moment where I thought about taking a shot of whiskey. I am not sure if my problem was that I was anticipating further episodes or what...

I am glad its over as its such a crappy feeling.
.
To those struggling with anxiety who may be reading this post - know that there are things out there to help other than booze. Booze may work initially, but it will only make your anxiety worse in the long run and of course a host of other problems.

Hawkeye13

I’ve been reading a terrific book—actually listening on audiobooks called”The Body Knows the Score” which I strongly recommend. It has explained so much about the links between my emotions and physical response, cravings, depersonalization, aching gut full of fear for “no” present reason.

It may may give you some insight into this, and it will certainly help you or anyone understand addiction, PTSD, depression, & anxiety better, and it offers concrete tools to help identify and correct physiological responses which may have been useful once, but have negative repercussions now.

Well done on your 5.5 years!

Kaily

I am so pleased to read that you have found some relief Calicofish. Thank goodness you didn't drink.

I too suffer extreme anxiety that completely stops me in my tracks, diagnosed as CPTSD & GAD, self medicated with alcohol for so many years, which in hindsight made it very much worse. When I don't have it I fear its return, it is so crippling.

Happy to say I am ok just now.

Thanks for sharing.

Dee74

I am really pleased to read the update Calicofish

D

Hevyn

Good to know you have some relief from that miserable feeling.
So very true about alcohol adding to our anxiety rather than calming us down.

D122y

I don't want to come across as trying to one up you on the whole recovery thing.

My intent is totally relating and saying that in my case the anxiety/agoraphobia/paranoia/stress/palpitations etc etc etc didn't really ever go away. I got used to them and then they dissipated.

My hell was so deep I was going totally insane. I didn't go to the Dr. because of my line of work, I would have lost my job. I had to just deal with it. Fortunately, when I was doing my job, I was able to get by.

I worked out very hard my first year clean. The working out is what caused me to quit in the first place.

Anyway, I am clean for a bit now and I use the hell of getting clean as reminder that I never want to relapse again.

Posts like yours on SR also help me stay clean. Your post reminds me of my AA meetings minus the drive etc etc etc.

Thanks.

MissPerfumado

My anxiety is still a bit of a mystery for me.

When I quit, I had social anxiety show up in the first couple of months, which I put down to adapting to socialising without the drink.

Then six months in, it began to manifest as anxiety in public speaking scenarios, without warning I would have heart palpitations and hyperventilate when called upon to speak. I thought about seeing a doctor but decided to try some other things instead. I managed it by cutting out coffee on public speaking days, and running, running, running.

2 years into sobriety, and the anxiety had disappeared.

I still run and that works for me. The running has become a medicine and is a vital mood stabiliser.

My own approach is that I need to keep my body in tip-top condition, to seek a natural remedy first, my next option if it didn't work would be the lowest and least invasive form of medical intervention, then something stronger as needed... But as you say: never, ever alcohol.

I'm so glad you're feeling better.

BeABetterMan

Anxiety feeds on itself. When I feel anxiety coming on, I GET BUSY. I go for a walk, or work in the garage or anything. What I don't do is sit down, or try to think my way out of it. I've suffered from anxiety for about 19 years and this is what works for me. Many suggest meditating or other calming techniques. Those don't work for me. Oh also, yes, medication can be a life saver. Anxiety, even if not having attacks, can be low level and almost unnoticeable, but it makes you feel exhausted and overwhelmed at all times. Then you take some meds, or have a life change, and you suddenly feel better. Anxiety has wreaked havoc on my life so I can relate to you and I'm so happy to hear you are finding some relief. You are not alone, so never give up fighting it.

BeABetterMan

Oops, I double posted

least

I'm glad things are better now and hope they stay that way.

kamm

I’m so glad you've found some relief! I hope the waves are behind you.

Anxiety can be so debilitating. I am a little over 1.5 years sober and, for me, my anxiety manifested in full body sweats anytime I had to speak. It didn’t matter if I was with family or doing a work presentation. I would sweat so much I got anxious about the sweat. I bought black clothing for work and have started to increase my exercise and that seems to have helped some. I’ve got a dr appointment coming up to hopefully help more.

Regardless, drinking will only make my situation worse.